Senate GOP Leader Say More Progress Needed Before Burma Sanctions Can be Lifted
On January 26, 2012, Senate Minority Leader McConnell (R-KY) addressed the Senate to discuss his recent trip to Burma. In his remarks, McConnell noted that Burma appears to have made some progress toward democracy in the past six months, but that more progress is needed before sanctions can be lifted.
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McConnell stated that while he applauds the Secretary of State’s decision to exchange ambassadors with Burma for the first time in 20 years, the Government of Burma “still has a substantial way to go to achieve real and lasting reform.” McConnell states that he would not support (and doesn’t think the Administration would support) lifting of sanctions unless there is much further progress.
According to McConnell, the next steps will be elections to fill seats in the national parliament in April 2012. He also notes that the government must fully reconcile with Burma’s ethnic minority and questions about Burma’s relationship with North Korea needs to be answered.
(See ITT’s Online Archives 12011701 for summary of decision to send a U.S. Ambassador to Burma and consider the next steps regarding any lifting of sanctions, including import ban.)
McConnell’s remarks available here (see pages 2-3)