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Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) joined U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-ID) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, in sending a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and USAID Administrator Mark Green, asking them to ensure that the administration continues to support Burma as it moves toward free and democratic parliamentary elections in 2020.
“Burma’s 2020 elections are a crucial next step towards institutionalizing democracy and preventing backsliding into authoritarian rule,” wrote the senators. “Free and fair elections will buoy supporters of democracy, and narrow the likelihood of a retrenchment of illiberal forces within the government. Free and fair elections can help increase unity in a Burma still afflicted with conflict and religious and ethnic strife. Illegitimate elections would only worsen these problems, and possibly cause escalation in conflict,” said the senators.
“Further institutionalizing democracy is also important to increase Burma’s resilience in the face of external challenges, such growing Chinese Communist Party influence in numerous aspects of Burmese society. Working with the Burmese government and civil society in advance of these elections is important to demonstrating the value of U.S. partnership.”
Joining Rubio, Risch and Menendez in signing the letter were Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Todd Young (R-IN), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN).
The full text of the letter is below.
Dear Secretary Pompeo and Administrator Green:
We write today to express support for the Administration’s recent efforts to support Burma in the run-up to Parliamentary elections set for later this year, and to encourage continued robust U.S. engagement in this regard over the coming year. Although elections will not be held until the end of 2020, preparations must begin well in advance to ensure they are free and fair.
Burma’s 2020 elections are a crucial next step towards institutionalizing democracy and preventing backsliding into authoritarian rule. Free and fair elections will buoy supporters of democracy, and narrow the likelihood of a retrenchment of illiberal forces within the government. Free and fair elections can help increase unity in a Burma still afflicted with conflict and religious and ethnic strife. Illegitimate elections would only worsen these problems, and possibly cause escalation in conflict.
Further institutionalizing democracy is also important to increase Burma’s resilience in the face of external challenges, such growing Chinese Communist Party influence in numerous aspects of Burmese society. Working with the Burmese government and civil society in advance of these elections is important to demonstrating the value of U.S. partnership.
We were encouraged by the Administration’s dedication of funds last year to election assistance. This year, it is imperative that the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) increase that assistance, particularly to civil society organizations. In particular, we believe it is important to prioritize the following areas:
Thank you for your attention to this important matter. We look forward to continuing to work with the State Department and USAID to ensure robust U.S. engagement in the lead up to Burma’s elections in 2020.