Hearing of the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment of the House Foreign Affairs Committee - Burma Crisis

Interview

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REP. SIRES: I just have a couple of concerns. I'll be very brief.

We have a situation in Burma where we're asking other countries to put pressure on Burma, and yet we still have Unocal proving the regime with about $400 (million) to $600 million a year in revenues. I think it just goes against our credibility when we ask other countries to do something and yet we're still providing them with half a billion dollars. So I'll be asking that question when I get the chance, and I'm looking forward to hearing from you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

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REP. SIRES: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I was just wondering -- the U.N. special envoy just returned from the region and they went to China, India, Tunisia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand regarding the situation in Burma. Was there ever any progress?

And do you know if they reached a consensus? Both -- you know, either one.

MR. MARCIEL: Okay.

REP. SIRES: I don't want to exclude you.

MR. MARCIEL: Congressman, Mr. Gambari went out, was able to visit Burma, came back, and is now back out in the region. I think he's in Malaysia today. We're hoping -- I think he's hoping to get back to Burma soon.

What he did in Burma was talk to the regime leadership. He was able to meet twice with Aung San Suu Kyi. I wouldn't call that progress. I would say it was useful for him to be able to have those conversations. Nobody else has had access to Aung San Suu Kyi, and not too many people have had access to Than Shwe, the leader of the regime.

It has not yet resulted in any demonstrable progress. After his visit, General Than Shwe did make, through the Burmese state-run media, a very heavily conditioned offer to hold talks with Aung San Suu Kyi, and he subsequently appointed a Burmese official to be a liaison to her.

This could be, if the regime were willing, the beginning of an opening. But frankly, I think we're all very skeptical, given the regime's record, and the fact that it's continuing to arrest people. It's continuing its crackdown.

That said, Mr. Gambari is back in the region and will try to go back to Burma to see if he can take this hint of an opening and turn it into something more.

REP. SIRES: Do you feel that maybe the Burmese leaders are just buying time until they finish the total crackdown?

MR. MARCIEL: It's certainly possible, yes.

REP. SIRES: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

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