Foreign Relations Committee will come to order. I want to thank each of you for being here. We thank you. Its very timely. In 2009, the Obama Administration shifted the direction of u. S. Policy taking a leap of faith in an approach combining in engagement and pressure would usher in democratic reform where sanctions alone had failed. Although many were skeptical of such a shift, 2010 elections provided an opportunity to test the credibility of a more proactive engagement approach. And in the ensuing years the United States worked to balance engagement with the military jon ta and the democratic grassroots movement. Undoubt bli this engagement strategy had a positive effect on burma democratic reforms including the 2015 election that brought the democratic opposition to power. And while the 2015 election was historic, burmas democratic transition has been a work in progress. Along with its complex ethnic and cultural history, the Burmese Military continues to control key ministries in large swaths of the economy. Which is why there was some concern in 2016 when the Obama Administration unilaterally rolled back most of the restrictions on u. S. Engagement with burma. A year into this new policy the question is, was this too soon. The burmese economy remains weak and projected flows of u. S. Investment have not materialized. Human rights regulations are untouched, structure reforms have not progressed and the peace progress is stagnant. In recent weeks weve also witnessed the appalling images of atrocities being committed by the Burmese Military against the rohingya minority. Hundreds of men and women and children systemically killed hundreds of thousands of people fled as their homes burn. We continue to hear the truly heartbreaking accounts of human suffering. Failure to protect against such atrocities is even more heightened given decades of hope staked upon the de facto leader. Situation including half a million men, women and children who fled to bangladesh. Also think we should not shy away from an honest assessment of the direction of u. S. Policy towards burma. Last year i raised specific concerns with ms. Aung san suu kyi about her governments treatment of rohingya, one of the most vulnerable to human traffickers around the world. And i publicly shared my shock and dismay at her dismissiveness of these concerns, an attitude she has maintained even in the face of unfolding humanitarian crisis and mounting international criticism. Her failure to acknowledge the seemingly systemic campaign of brutality by the Burmese Military continues to undermine the civilian government and burmas democratic transition as a whole. The United States should not abandon burma, however it may be time for a policy adjustment. Hope to have a candid conversation here today about the trajectory of current u. S. Policy towards burma including the role that congress can play in encouraging democratic reform and addressing humanitarian efforts. I want to thank you again for being here. I want to take, i think its murkilys birthday today, is that right . Yes, sir. I can tell you were not paying attention to my Opening Statement and i just want to know if you were listening. And i understand youre getting ready to take also codell to burma, is that correct . Were certainly hoping to put that together. 600,000 now of 1. 2 million. Theres been a systematic burning of their villages. This didnt just start. Its been a campaign thats gone on for a long period of time. Since 1982 law denies them citizenship even though they have been residents for generations. Theyre denied freedom of movement, denied freedom of education, denied health care. This has been a systematic effort to destroy an ethnic community. And once again we see this happening and once again expectation is well, its far away. Well just let it go along. We got to be outraged about whats happening. We need to see the International Community come together and say no we will not let this continue. That well hold those accountable that are responsible. That well provide it humanitarian need immediately. That well stop this type of conduct in a civilized society. Cannot occur. Yes, i think its genocide. I know there will be some discussion about it whether its genocide or not. Deliberately inflicting on the Group Conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part. Thats whats happening. Theyre trying to destroy the population. Are people arguing intent. What else are they doing this for other than the purity of their country and their lack of tolerance for a minority population . For decades the burmese government has systematically opressed the rohingya people. That is the fact. And they have deliberately failed to integrate the population into the general population. A u. N. High commissioner of human rights correctly stated that decades of persistent and systematic Human Rights Violations have almost certainly contributed to the nurturing of violent extremism with everyone ultimately losing. They complain about extremism. Theyre creating it. In my opinion were witnessing a militarysponsored Ethnic Cleansing Campaign on the rohingya and it will take ing significant engagemented the highest levels in partnership with the burmese civilian government to hold perpetrators accountable for these horrific acts. Unfortunately the Rohingya Crisis is not the only vexing challenge burma faces. The Burmese Military continues to hold significant influence in power and the economy. The Peace Process was sought to end, the long standing civil war in the country has stalled. Theres long been free speech and political oppression. The chairmans right. The state counselor was here. Shes an impressive person. But shes not taking on the challenge. Shes not responding to the crisis in her own country. The military control burma today. Thats unacceptable. Thats why we imposed sanctions because of military control. Sanction relief was given for what . So people can be ethnically cleansed . I agree with the chairman. We need to not only reevaluate, we need have a policy in regards to burma that we understand. That addresses these Human Rights Violations. That reevaluates our position as far as having normal relations with burma and the release of our sanctions. The president will be attending the asean summit very shortly. Will he be mentioned burma and human rights as a top priority during this trip . I certainly hope so. And i do want to compliment the Bangladesh Government for keeping the borders open. Thats been one bright spot. But there is a humanitarian crisis of the refugees in bangladesh that we all have to respond to. So i am looking forward to hearing from our witnesses. I thank each of them. They all have very distinguished records and great confidence in their expertise on the subject. But i do notice on a subject as important as this, it would we nice to have at least one witness that was confirmed by the senate that brings that degree of importance from the administration on the subject and lastly i would ask consent that numerous statements from ngos about this statement be made part of the record. Without objection, and thank you for your strong Opening Statement. You and i were together i guess at Vice President bidens home when it was very evident that the titular head, if you will of the country, is very dismissive as it relates to this whole group of people. Particularly on the trafficking issue i remember you brought up. There was no reality at all it was going on. Our first witness is Deputy Assistant secretary for at the bureau of east asian and Pacific Affairs for the department of state. Thank you, sir for your service. Second witness today is Deputy Assistant secretary for the bureau of population refugees migration and migration at the department of state. Thank you for your service, sir. Our third witness is ms. Kate siri. That was an approving smile. I did that correctly. Thank you. Acting Deputy Assistant of ed a main administrator for democracy, conflict at the u. S. Agency for international development. Thank you for your service. If each of you could sums are in about five minutes, any written materials you have will be entered into the record. We thank you again for your service and helping us with this issue. If you would just go in the order that youre sitting. Chairman corker, Ranking Member carden, distinguished members of the committee, burma has emerged from a decades long struggle to defy authoritarian rule and to transition to a democratic society. However, it a devastating humanitarian crisis in Rakhine State has exacerbate the suffering of Ethic Rohingya and other populations and threatened this otherwise peaceful transition. As do other long standing challenges that the elected government authority, civilian authority inherited a mere 16 months ago. Although the new government is committed to ending conflicts and improving the prospects for all the diverse populations of burma, todays hearing illuminates the fragility of this conference. On august 25th, attacks on Burmese Security forces and subsequent violence and massive displacement occasionsed by the militarys disproportionate response have created a crisis that demands our undivided attention. Our efforts seek to end the violence, support the displaced in their return home, address the atrocities and address the per republican natural conditions that sparked this most recent colossal Population Movement over 600,000 people to bangladesh and several thousand others internally. President trump has discussed the situation with other leaders. Secretary tillerson called state counselor to reafirm support for the emerging democracy and urge action on this crisis. Vice president pence denounced the heavy handed response at the u. N. Where ambassador hailey called for an International Role in ending the violence. Our ambassador has engaged Government Military leaders. I visited burma, including Rakhine State and met with other Government Military figures and displaced populations. We have consulted with many countries. Our collective message to burma asean members. Our message to our stake holders is clear, end the violence, protect civilians, expand humanitarian and media access. Hold those guilty accountable. Repatriot safely those who have fled and cooperate with the International Community. Weve inhad krjed burmas to overcome mistrust and missed opportunities for international help. Although the crisis persists, our engagement is yielding some results. On october 12th, silaid out goals. For repatriation and humanitarian assistance and settlement and peace and development. Were engaging with her government to implement its goals. Burma recently sent a senior official to bangladesh and more senior contact is scheduled this week. A top u. S. Official visited burma last week to address the u. N. Response to the humanitarian and rue man rights aspect of the crisis. I travelled to singapore, thailand and vietnam. Others have engaged across the region. Building support for constructive diplomatic engagement. We welcome aseans decision to activate its own humanitarian assistance mechanism for Rakhine State. We know that a prerequisite is assurances of security. Accordingly. The department of state has identified and announced new and ongoing actions to pursue accountability for those who have committed violence, including, among other measures, suspending travel wagers from military leaders, assessing jade act authorities to consider economic options available to target individuals associated with the atrocities. Finding that all units and officers involved in operations in northern Rakhine State are pursuant to the lehigh law. Ineligible for assistance programs. Rescinding invitations for Burmese Security leaders to attend u. S. Sponsored events, maintaining an embargo on military sales. Consulting on accountability options at the u. N. , the Human Rights Councils and other venues. Pressing for access for the Fact Finding Mission and exploring mechanisms under u. S. Law, including global magnisky targeted sanctions. A failure will only result in a future replay of this tragedy. It is thus crucial that we support burma in implementing the recommendations of the Rakhine Advisory Commission led by former u. N. Secretary general coe kofi anan sto address underdevelopment, shortcomings and services, access to justice and a citizenship process for all people in Rakhine State. An emerging democracy, the countrys success is important to us. To burmas diverse populations and to the future. The longterm viability depends on reforms to end violence and the potential for interNational Terrorism. The very ingredients associated with the Current Crisis and other ongoing conflicts. We must also find ways to support those courageous forces within government and societies to seek a better future. In doing so, we look to partner with congress on burma as we have done across successive administratio administrations in decades. We thank this committee for its leadership and bipartisanship. Chairman corker, Ranking Member carden, distinguished members of the committee, thank you for inviting us to this important hearing. Im grateful the opportunity to update you on how the u. S. Government is targeting life changing humanitarian assistance and the challenges we face ahead. The violence in Rakhine State continues to devastate delicate populations and cause families, mostly women and children to flee for their lives. The violent reaction that followed prompted more than 600,000 people to flee bangladesh, bringing the total number of rohingya in bangladesh to roughly 1 Million People and force further displacement inside Rakhine State itself. The magnitude and speed of this Displacement Development and speed make it one of the most dramatic humanitarian crises in decades. In burma our number one humanitarian priority is gaining access to those in need in Rakhine State. Burmas civilian government has committed publicly and privately to provide humanitarian assistance through the Red Cross Movement. The movement has stressed to the burmese government that it will not be able to fully meet humanitarian needs and the u. N. Agencies and International Organizations and nongovernmental organizations will also need operational space. We emphasize at all opportunities to burmese officials at all levels of government the requirement to allow humanitarian assistance to reach those in need. We continue to press the government and the military both publicly and privately to end the violence to protect the security of all communities and to allow Rohingya Refugees to voluntarily return to their homes after burmese authorities insure they can do so safely. Responsibility remains with burma. We greatly appreciate the government of bangladesh for opening its doors, many of whom arrived after walking for days in need of food, water, shelter and medical care. The monsoon season has exacerbates the situation as flooding has made aid delivery even more challenging. In every meeting with bangladesh officials we thank them for allowing refugees to cross over into bangladesh. We urge them to uphold humanitarian principals while balancinging their own security concerns. In addition the United States is providing humanitarian assistance to help vulnerable populations affected by the Rakhine State of violence. An estimated 434 million required for Emergency Response in bangladesh to meet needs only through the end of february 2018. Thanks to the support of this congress in fy 17 the United States contributed nearly 104 million in assistance to displaced populations and in burma for refugees from burma throughout the region. Of this Funding Department of states contribution totalled nearly 176 million. 3 4s of the total humanitarian response. Including nearly 34 million in Emergency Assistance to address this latest crisis. This allowed partners on the ground to respond immediately as refugees were already arriving to the already established and newly established camps in bangladesh. Our contributions provide food, shelter, water, sanitation, health and core relief items both inside burma and in bangladesh. We also target assistance for victims of genderbased violence and particularly for vulnerable children. Yesterday in geneva, interested countries pled