08.03.22

McConnell Statement on Burma and Secretary Blinken’s Asia Trip

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) issued the following statement today regarding Burma:

“As Secretary of State Blinken undertakes his planned travel to Southeast Asia, I sincerely hope and expect that he will deliver a firm message to Burma’s neighbors and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations: It is time for them to impose meaningful consequences on the junta in Burma that is literally getting away with murder.

“Just today, the junta ruling Burma is welcoming Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, embracing an envoy from another autocratic regime. Apparently violent pariahs flock together. The free world can expect to see more of the same if the leaders of last year’s coup are not brought to heel.

“If Burma’s neighbors and ASEAN are not willing to come to the aid of the innocent people who are suffering under the junta’s brutal and illegitimate rule, the Administration must use the authorities Congress has already given it to turn up the heat on the Tatmadaw and its sources of financial support. This should include sanctions on Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise.

“The people of Burma have suffered and waited for friends of democracy to come to their aid. Secretary Blinken must put the full weight of the Administration’s authorities squarely in their corner. It is time for less talk and more action.”

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