We Need to Put Pressure on Burma (Rep. Albio Sires)

In Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Scot Marciel’s testimony on Wednesday, he stressed the fact that Burma is a very isolated state because they have isolated themselves. Marciel, who is the expert on the field, did not feel that sanctions would help, but I think you have to try the sanctions. We just cannot let them do whatever they want to do. I do not know how effective the sanctions will be for this country. They have been committing atrocities for many years, and obviously they have intensified.

Burma exports drugs and sickness, therefore, I think that it is in China’s best interest to get involved and try to resolve the issue in Burma and possibly change the government. Apparently, the Junta government is a free agent that seems to do whatever it wants. We should engage China to try and put more pressure on Burma. Both the US and China have strong economic interests in Burma, so we have to apply as much pressure as we can.

We can do both, talk and pressure, but one or the other is not going to do it. Talks alone are not going to resolve this issue in Burma. We need to apply pressure.

The UN has sent a special envoy who has been meeting with some of the leaders in Burma, and he has tried to get Thailand, Malaysia, and China to become engaged in the process. I think that we should let that run its course and see where it takes us.