Military

DATE=06/10/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=CONGRESS / BURMA UPDATE (L)

NUMBER=2-304219

BYLINE=DAN ROBINSON

DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

/// UPDATES 2-304207 WITH HOUSE ACTION, SENATE VOTE STILL PENDING ///

INTRO: Congress is moving closer to imposing new sanctions on the military government of Burma. The Senate is scheduled to debate legislation to bar U-S imports from Burma. Similar legislation was approved by a committee of the House of Representatives. V-O-A's Dan Robinson has a report from Capitol Hill:

TEXT: The Senate was due to take up the legislation, but has been delayed by debate on an energy bill.

Earlier Tuesday, initial statements by key Senators coincided with news that U-N envoy for Burma, Razali Ismail, had finally been able to meet (Burmese democracy leader) Aung San Suu Kyi.

However, Republican lawmakers made clear their patience has run out.

Senator Mitch McConnell was a key supporter of previous Burma sanctions legislation in the mid-1990s and is primary sponsor of the new sanctions bill:

/// MCCONNELL ACT ///

This is an unusual situation. The United States needs to send a message about this. It needs to send it now, and lead the rest of the world into a policy of multi-lateral sanctions that truly squeeze this regime.

/// END ACT ///

Republican Bill Frist is the Senate Majority Leader:

/// FRIST ACT ///

As the strongest and most free nation in the world, I do believe that we have a profound duty to support that struggle for freedom.

/// END ACT ///

/// OPT /// Earlier, Senator McConnell rejected an effort by some lawmakers to modify the legislation to end sanctions after one year. Mr. McConnell said his bill would allow for ending sanctions as soon as democracy in Burma is restored. /// END OPT ///

In the House of Representatives, the Asia-Pacific Subcommittee approved its version of the Burma legislation.

Its chairman, James Leach, reflected the view held by U-S business interests and others that sanctions should be a last resort. But Burma's military, he said, had left Congress with little choice:

/// LEACH ACT ///

While economic sanctions are seldom successful, the long train of abuses perpetrated by Burma's military regime leaves the United States and possibly other members of the international community, with no ethical or political alternative but to embrace a more comprehensive trade initiative.

/// END ACT ///

Once approved by both chambers and signed by President Bush, the legislation would greatly expand on restrictions Congress approved in 1996 prohibiting new investment by U-S companies in Burma.

All U-S imports from Burma, consisting mostly of clothing and textiles, would be banned. Any assets in the United States by Burma's State Peace and Development Council (S-P-D-C) and its leaders would be frozen.

/// OPT /// In the House committee hearing, Burmese democracy campaigner Maureen Aung Thwin argued in favor of even stronger measures:

/// THWIN ACT ///

I believe that we should consider pulling out all current American direct investments in Burma. American companies like UNOCAL and luxury tourism companies should no longer be able to contribute to the regime's coffers that go to support Burma's weapons of mass repression.

/// END ACT END OPT ///

Strengthening sanctions against Burma was not something a Republican Bush administration, with its strong support from business interests, wanted to see happen.

However, the White House, frustrated with the lack of progress toward democracy in Burma, supports the legislation. (signed)

NEB/DAR/MAR