Written Testimony of the
International Burmese Monks Organization
Hearing on “U.S. Policy toward Burma: Its Impact and Effectiveness” Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Senate Committee onForeign RelationsWritten Testimony byInternational Burmese Monks OrganizationNew York, U.S.A September 30, 2009Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member and Members of the Subcommittee,We are compelled to submit this testimony in writing since your hearing isintended to evaluate the effectiveness of U.S. policy toward Burma, yet nomonks or members of Burma’s democracy movement were invited totestify.We would like to take this opportunity to extend our deepest gratitude tothe United States Congress, Administration and people for their consistentand unwavering support for the non-violent struggle for democracy andhuman rights in Burma, led by detained Nobel Peace Prize Recipient Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. We especially thank to the 66 U.S. Senators and manyMembers of House of Representatives who cosponsored the resolution tomaintain sanctions on Burma contained in the Burmese Freedom andDemocracy Act of 2003. We strongly believe that the United States shouldmaintain current sanctions against the Burmese military regime andstrengthen these sanctions to the maximum level, unless the regimecommits to the positive changes that we all are trying to achieve.Recently, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced the review of newU.S. policy toward Burma. She said, “We will maintain our existingsanctions until we see concrete progress towards reform. But, we will bewilling to discuss the easing of sanctions in response to significant actionson the part of Burma’s generals that address the core human rights and
democracy issues that are inhibiting Burma’s progress.” This is in line withour views and we support the policy of using sanctions and diplomacy,together.# We would like to make the following recommendations:Over the years, Burma’s regime has shown expertise in manipulating theinternational community with hollow promises and false hopes. U.S.officials should be aware of the regime’s tricks, and must stay focused onthe goals stated by Secretary Clinton. U.S. direct diplomacy with theregime should not be an open-ended process, but should take place withina reasonable timeframe and with clear benchmarks. We also urge the U.S.government to try to reach out those in the regime that make all majordecisions.While keeping current sanctions in place, the United States should prepareto increase pressure on the regime if the regime refuses to negotiate withthe democratic opposition and conducts more abuses against the people of Burma, including ethnic minorities. The U.S. should support and lead acampaign calling on the United Nations Security Council to impose a globalarms embargo on Burma and establish a Commission of Inquiry toinvestigate crimes against humanity and war crimes committed by themilitary regime. The U.S. should also extend current targeted financial andbanking sanctions against the regime’s officials and Burmese businesscronies who are partners of the regime. Finally, the U.S. also shouldcoordinate with the European Union in imposing financial sanctions againsttargeted individuals in Burma.# Effectiveness of sanctionsU.S. imposition of an investment ban in Burma began in 1997 andcontinues to this day, thanks to President Obama, who extended thosesanctions in May of this year. Further economic sanctions were imposed in2003, after the Depayin Massacre, in which Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and herentourage were brutally attacked by the regime’s militias and scores of herparty members were bludgeoned to death. The Tom Lantos Block BurmaJade Act was approved in 2007, in which rubies, jades and precious stonesfrom Burma are banned from entering the United States directly or
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Letter to Senator Jim Webb
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| Upload Date: | 10/01/2009 |
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