Statement of Senator Patrick Leahy

[FreeBurma@xxxxxxx]

Subject: Statement of Senator Patrick Leahy at the Senate hearing

Attn: Burma Newsreaders
Re: Statement of Senator Patrick Leahy at the Senate hearing
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                Statement of Senator Patrick Leahy, Vermont
                                  Ranking Member
                           Foreign Operations Subcommittee
                           Senate Appropriations Committee

                         Foreign Operations Hearing on Burma

                                         July 24, 1995

Mr. Chairman, I want to commend you for the attention you and your staff have
given to the issue of human rights and drug trafficking in Burma.

The SLORC regime is among the world's worst abusers of human rights, and the
more that we can do to expose their repressive tactics the better. It gives
hope to the victims, and to the democratic opposition leaders in that
country. In addition, over half the heroin flowing into the United States
comes from Burma, and there is ample evidence implicating SLORC officials in
that deadly business.

The release from house arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi is tremendously
encouraging. She is a symbol of courage and freedom for all Burma's citizens.
She, not the SLORC, represents Burma's future.

Yet while her release is a very welcome step, it is only a beginning. Aung
San Suu Kyi never should have been detained in the first place. There are
many, many other Burmese who languish in jail for no other reason than
expressing their political views. I hope this hearing will help us chart a
policy for the future that can help bring freedom to those people, and
democracy for all Burmese.

While I believe we should look to Aung San Suu Kyi for guidance on how to
proceed from here, I want to hear Ambassador Lord's reactions to Senator
McConnell's legislation which would severely tighten US sanctions against
Burma. Would this advance the cause of national reconciliation and democratic
reform that Aung San Suu Kyi is calling for?

I am aware that Burma is a major source of the world's opium, but I am very
concerned about the Administration's plan to continue training and
information sharing with Burmese counternarcotics units. I seriously doubt
that we have anything significant to gain from such cooperation with the
SLORC whose commitment to shopping the drug trade is extremely suspect. At
the very least, we should not proceed until we see what further steps they
take to respect human rights and permit pro-democracy leaders to orginize.

I also hope we hear testimony on the situation facing Burmese refugees on the
Thai-Burma border, who have received US Government aid for some time. Last
year, the Administration interrupted this humanitarian program, apparently
due to concerns about the sensibilities of the Thai Government.  It was
resumed after a lengthy delay, and only after considerable prodding by
Senator McConnell and myself. Since then, Burmese army troops have
intensified their attacks against the Karen and Karenni minorities. I want to
hear about the situation facing the refugees today, what aid they are
receiving from us, and any difficulties we are encountering in delivering and
monitoring the aid.

Thank you.

-----------------------------------------end. (fb.072495.congress)