Rohrabacher Says U.S. Should Pressure Burma

Congressman-elect Dana Rohrabacher said Wednesday that the U.S. government should isolate Burma’s military government to pressure it into allowing democracy.

“There should be no recognition, no trade and no economic assistance with the Rangoon government until democratic reforms and human rights have been established,” said Rohrabacher, elected Nov. 8 to represent the 42nd Congressional District.

Gen. Saw Maung seized power in a coup Sept. 18 in Burma, and his troops have killed more than 450 people in an effort to crush the pro-democracy movement and consolidate control.

Rohrabacher, who will be sworn in Jan. 3, told a news conference that he will take his call to isolate Burma to President-elect George Bush, the National Security Council and the State Department.

Rohrabacher and several other Americans crossed illegally into Burma on Tuesday to the Karen rebel camp of Thaw Baw Boe, where they met about 800 Burmese students who are undergoing military training.

He told the news conference in Bangkok: “I believe if they are successful, if democracy is achieved in Burma, and I believe it will be, these young people will be looked at by future generations of their own citizens as the true heroes and the George Washingtons and Thomas Jeffersons of their time.”

Rohrabacher said students were “giving up everything and risking everything, including their lives, to bring democracy to their country, and they deserve both the sympathy and support of the United States.”