STATEMENT BY U.S SENATOR JOHN McCAIN 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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