Photo: Reuters
U.S. Senator John McCain (2nd R) speaks as Senators Joseph Lieberman, Sheldon Whitehouse (L) and Kelly Ayotte (2nd L) look on during a press briefing in Hanoi January 19, 2012, one of the stops on their visit to Asia.
January 22, 2012
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) today made the
following statement during a press conference in Rangoon:
“Good evening. It is a pleasure to return to this wonderful country. I
am joined today by three of my colleagues from the U.S. Senate:
Senator Joe Lieberman from Connecticut, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse
from Rhode Island, and Senator Kelly Ayotte from New Hampshire.
“This is my second opportunity to visit this country since the
civilian government took office. On my last visit, I suggested that
for the relationship between our countries were to improve, it would
require concrete actions, not just talk, from both sides. This is now
happening.
“President Thein Sein and his government, with the critical support of
Aung San Suu Kyi, are taking real steps toward political and economic
reform. In response, the United States government is also taking steps
to deepen our support for this process of reform, including the return
of a U.S. ambassador.
“It is clear to us that there is strong support on all sides for
greater democratic and economic reforms in this country, and for
further actions to bring our governments and peoples closer together.
We in Congress share these goals and aspirations, and we are committed
to begin easing and lifting U.S. sanctions as conditions warrant. But
for this progress to be possible, the U.S. Administration and the
Congress are united in what additional actions we wish to see from the
leaders in Nay Pyi Taw.
“First, while hundreds of political prisoners have been released, we
urged President Thein Sein to unconditionally free the hundreds more
who remain behind bars. It is important that the International Red
Cross have access to these and all of the other prisoners in this
country, which can help to improve their condition.
“We are also eager to see the by-election in April conducted freely,
fairly, and consistent with international standards. To assist with
this process, we urged the government to invite objective
international groups to observe the voting.
“Another area that we will watch closely for continued progress is the
long-running conflicts between the government and ethnic minority
groups. It is encouraging that President Thein Sein has ordered the
military to halt attacks and has pursued cease-fire agreements in
these contested areas. We hope that steps can be taken to ensure that
the President’s orders are followed by commanders on the ground, that
the fighting is brought to an end, and that domestic and international
organizations be given full access to the conflict areas for
humanitarian purposes.
“Finally, the United States will continue to urge the government in
Nay Pyi Taw to build a democratic system based on the rule of law.
This is not only essential to ensuring the basic human rights and
freedoms of all people in this country. It is also a prerequisite to
attract foreign investment. Abiding by the rule of law also extends to
fulfilling international obligations under United Nations Security
Council Resolutions that pertain to military cooperation with North
Korea.
“I am confident that President Thein Sein seeks to make progress in
each of these areas – not because the United States requires it, but
because it can improve the lives of people here, and because it can
strengthen the sovereignty and independence of this nation. As this
process of reform continues, the Congress will examine how to
gradually ease sanctions in ways that benefit ordinary Burmese and
reinforce the democratic and economic reforms being enacted. However,
any easing of sanctions should only begin after an assessment can be
made of the April by-election and in coordination with our
international partners.
“If you had asked me during my last visit here whether I could
envision the Congress lifting all sanctions against this country, I
would have said that such a scenario seemed faint and distant. Today,
however, it appears increasingly possible. It is our hope that, with
further concrete steps toward democratic and economic reform by the
government and people of this great country, our nations will be able
to open an entirely new and promising chapter in our relationship.”
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