Date: January 17, 2008
Source: http://www.un.int/usa/press_releases/20080117_005.html http://www.un.int/usa/press_releases/20080117_005.html 

Remarks by Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, U.S. Permanent Representative, on Burma, at the Security Council Stakeout, January 17, 2008 

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Ambassador Khalilzad: The purpose of today’s meeting was twofold in our view.  One to take a measure of the situation in Burma and for council members to share their assessments about the developments in Burma, in particular with regards to the goals that the Council had set in its PRST in October.  And second to support Mr. Gambari as the special advisor in achieving the goals outlined in that PRST.  It’s fair to say that the broad support in terms of the judgment that progress is not being made adequately towards the goals, and that the Council needs to remain engaged and focused on this issue and that Professor Gambari needs to be helped in making progress towards those objectives.  Our view is, and we expressed it there, is that in order for success to be achieved, in order for the credibility of the Council not to be undermined, we need to increase the pressure, be prepared to increase the pressure on the authorities as Mr. Gambari engages them, and we obviously support that, is to reduce the gap between where things are and where things need to be.  And that a policy of both engagement on the one hand through Mr. Gambari and pressure on the other hand, and preparedness to increase the pressure as appropriate is the right mix for the Council to adopt.  We had a good discussion and there was a press statement that was agreed to that the president of the Council will read to you later.  Thank you very much.

Reporter: Can you be specific about the pressures that you would like to see exerted on Burma?

Ambassador Khalilzad: Well, you know there are a variety of pressures, options that are available.  One is that we think the country with influence there need to express their displeasure with the lack of progress and encourage progress.  If they are serious, as they say they are, in terms of the goals outlined in the PRST as Mr. Gambari stated here that just stating in the Council meetings that you support the goals is not adequate.  You have to do things that facilitate the achievement of those goals.  So we look to those countries, and we look to the ASEAN countries in general since Burma is a member of ASEAN.  And we look to the Council itself to take measures, appropriate measures, including sanctions as a means to narrow that gap between where there is agreement by the government itself as well as by the international community where the country needs to be and where it is and the lack of progress that we see.

Reporter: Ambassador, does the U.S. believe that rather than moving in the direction of implementing goals and targets today in the PRST that Myanmar is moving backward, in the wrong direction at this point?

Ambassador Khalilzad: Well we believe that there is a lack of progress.  There is a huge gap between where we need to be and where we are.  Thank you.

Reporter: Ambassador, when you say those countries, do you mean India and China?

Ambassador Khalilzad: Absolutely, and I associate myself with the comments of Mr. Gambari on India’s statement.