I am pleased to let you know that I am supporting a bipartisan bill to promote the restoration of civilian democratic rule in Burma.  The Burma Democracy Promotion Act, S.2257, authored by Senator Joseph Biden, aims to help create conditions for the peaceful negotiated transfer of power from the generals who have ruled Burma for almost two decades to a newly constituted civilian democratic government.

This legislation would impose new financial sanctions and travel restrictions on the generals of the military junta in Burma, the same leaders who ordered the bloody crackdown on peaceful Burmese protesters last month.  It outlaws the importation of Burmese gems and timber to the United States with the aim of impacting the leaders who seem indifferent to the suffering of ordinary people.  These same leaders have avoided previous economic sanctions and have been hoarding their riches outside of Burma.

This bill also creates a new position of Special Representative and Policy Coordinator for Burma to work with Burma's neighbors and other countries to develop a comprehensive and coordinated approach to the problem, including further sanctions and support for non-governmental organizations to provide humanitarian relief to the Burmese people.  In that same vein, this legislation authorizes new assistance for the hundreds of thousands of Burmese who have been forced from their homes and are now refugees or who continue to suffer inside  the country because of the mismanagement and brutality of the military regime.

I am also the author of S.Con.Res.52, a concurrent resolution encouraging the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to take action to ensure a peaceful transition to democracy in Burma.

While the photos and stories that are trickling out of Burma are terribly disturbing, I hold out hope that we can make a difference for the people of that nation.  This legislation is an important step in that process.

Sincerely,

Barbara Boxer
United States Senator