A Senate subcommittee today is holding a hearing on American policy toward Myanmar, also known as Burma, whose repressive military junta has suppressed opposition, jailed its leaders and created a major refugee problem in southeast Asia.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton last week singled a shift in policy by the Obama administration, saying the United States would try to engage in a diplomatic dialogue with the regime. In the meantime, longtime sanctions against Myanmar would continue, she said.
Talks between U.S. and Burmese officials are scheduled in New York next week.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has been one of the most vocal congressional critics of Burma’s rulers and has authored annual legislation continuing sanctions against the junta. Yesterday, McConnell released a statement on the Obama administration’s efforts to engage Burma.
"Early in the Obama administration I encouraged Secretary of State Clinton to make Burma a priority, review our policies toward and relations with Burma, and to see how the U.S. could better achieve its objectives toward the regime,” McConnell said. “Having reached the end of that review Secretary Clinton has decided to engage the regime in Burma in pursuit of the fundamental goal of a unified, peaceful, prosperous and democratic Burma that respects the human rights of its citizens.”
Read more: The Courier-Journal
