U.N. Security Council Sets Formal Review of Situation in Burma
U.S. Ambassador Bolton welcomes "significant" decision

SOURCE: US STATE DEPT
By Judy Aita
Washington File United Nations Correspondent

15 September 2006

United Nations -- U.S. Ambassador John Bolton hailed the Security Council's September 15 decision to schedule a formal review of the situation in Burma, calling the move significant.

"This is a major step forward for President Bush's effort to bring the attention of the international community to the situation inside Burma and its effects on the region," Bolton told journalists after the closed Security Council session. "We intend to press ahead vigorously."

According to the U.N. Charter, the Security Council only addresses issues that pose a threat to international peace and security. Flows of Burmese refugees throughout the Southeast Asia region, illicit narcotics, the risk of HIV/AIDS and the human rights situation inside Burma constitute such a threat, Bolton said.

The United States has pressed for almost a year to have the issue officially placed on the council's agenda. Earlier in September, Bolton said he would ask for a vote if he did not have unanimous support for a formal review.

Faced with strong opposition from China, the council took action September 15 during consultations, voting 10 to 4 with one abstention. "It is fundamentally important that the regime in Burma recognize that it's the other member governments of the U.N. -- the other nations in the world -- that are concerned about their practices," Bolton said.

The first step, Bolton said, was "to get the item formally inscribed on the agenda and follow it with a briefing."

"We're going to watch developments in and around Burma very carefully and we'll make a decision on what our next step will be on that basis," he said. The ambassador added that the council would schedule a briefing by U.N. Undersecretary- General Ibrahim Gambari by the end of September.

Gambari is scheduled to visit Burma, known officially at the United Nations as Myanmar, later this year.

The Security Council decision and the planned briefing are important steps that will strengthen the U.N. official's mission, Bolton said.

According to U.S. officials, the United States plans to sponsor a resolution calling for an all-inclusive political process and the release of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners. The resolution would also call on the Burmese regime to ensure access and security for humanitarian workers, to take steps to end violence against the ethnic Karen minority, and to address HIV/AIDS and trafficking in drugs and persons.

During the opening of the 61st General Assembly session September 18, U.S. first lady Laura Bush will host a round-table discussion on Burma at the United Nations to raise awareness of the humanitarian crisis.