The United States welcomes the United Nations’ direct involvement in Burma evidenced by a December 16 Security Council briefing, according to the U.S. Department of State.

“The United States views continued U.N. and U.N. Security Council involvement as essential to putting Burma on a path towards democracy, and greater prosperity and stability,” according to a December 16 statement by State spokesman Sean McCormack.

Saying “the status quo in Burma is unacceptable,” McCormack repeated U.S. calls for the release of political prisoners, initiation of a credible political process, access for U.N. representatives, and elimination of restrictions on the humanitarian aid activities of international and nongovernmental organizations.

Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of Burma’s National League for Democracy (NLD), currently is under house arrest under orders of the junta calling itself the State Peace and Development Council. NLD won national elections in 1990, but the military regime prevented it from taking leadership of the country.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton, citing serious problems caused by illicit narcotics, human rights abuses and political repression, requested November 29 that senior U.N. officials formally brief the Security Council on the deteriorating situation in Burma. (See related article.)

For additional information on U.S. policy, see U.S. Support for Democracy in Burma.

The State Department statement follows:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
For Immediate Release
December 16, 2005
2005/1182

Statement by Sean McCormack, Spokesman

Burma - UNSC Discussion

The United States welcomes today's UN Security Council briefing by the UN Secretariat on the deteriorating situation in Burma. The Security Council's direct involvement on the issue of Burma is another reminder of just how serious the situation in that country has become. Along with the Secretariat, several Council members expressed growing concern over the effects of the regime's misguided policies on the Burmese people and the Southeast Asia region.

The United States views continued UN and UN Security Council involvement as essential to putting Burma on a path towards democracy, and greater prosperity and stability. Today's Security Council briefing and recent statements by Southeast Asian governments signal a renewed international commitment to seeing progress and send a strong message that the status quo in Burma is unacceptable. We urge our partners to continue to make clear to the regime that the National Convention, as currently constituted, does not represent legitimate, meaningful progress. We reiterate our calls on the regime to release Aung San Suu Kyi, U Tin Oo, Hkun Htun Oo, and all other political prisoners, to initiate a credible and inclusive political process, to grant access for UN representatives, and to lift restrictions on UN agencies and NGOs providing humanitarian assistance.

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)