Senators call for Security Council action on Burma

Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com)

August 30, 2007 - Two senior members of the United States Senate have called for an emergency sitting of the United Nations Security Council to address the growing crisis in Burma.

In a joint-letter released yesterday authored by Senators Mitch McConnell (R – Kentucky) and Dianne Feinstein (D – California), urges Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and the State Department to seek an emergency sitting of the international body.

Regarding the gravity of the unfolding situation in Burma and the potential role of the Security Council in addressing the problem, the two Senators write that "at this critical juncture, words of support from the world's democracies are not enough."

We must "avail ourselves of this diplomatic forum [Security Council]; the brave people of Burma deserve no less," stated Senators McConnell and Feinstein in their correspondence with Secretary Rice.

The letter, in focusing attention on the brutal crackdown of peaceful protestors, singles out the arrests of 88 Generation leaders Min Ko Naing and Ko Ko Gyi as of special concern.

At a State Department Press conference yesterday, spokesperson Tom Casey, in response to a question regarding Burma strategy, remained noncommittal as to whether or not the United States would seek more concrete action relating to Burma.

In January of this year, a Security Council resolution, sponsored by the United States and condemning the Burmese regime's human rights record, was vetoed by permanent Security Council members China and Russia. In all, the resolution was approved by 9 of the 15 Security Council members.