Source: http://www.usunnewyork.usmission.gov/press_releases/20080724_203.html http://www.usunnewyork.usmission.gov/press_releases/20080724_203.html
Date: July 24, 2008

Remarks by Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, U.S. Permanent Representative, on Burma and Sudan, at the Security Council Stakeout, July 24, 2008

Ambassador Khalilzad: Well we have just had a discussion on Burma with Mr. Gambari in the Security Council. As you know we have been very focused the last several months on the humanitarian situation in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis. And the only regret there is that we were not allowed to do more because the United States and several countries wanted to do more to address the needs of the people there. Regardless of our political difference, when it comes to humanitarian needs we all want to be able to address that. That issue continues to be addressed and needs to be addressed. 
But the time has come now to shift focus again on the political track. We gave our message to Mr. Gambari who is going on his next visit in mid August to Burma that we expect concrete results that this is in our view a defining visit. That he has to come back, for his visit to be considered a success, with an agreed roadmap and time bound negotiations for political transitions leading to the elections of 2010. 
There has to be release of prisoners including changed circumstances of Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi, that will be another measure of success of his mission and we expect that if there is progress on these issues that the world will react to that positively. If there is not progress on these issues on the negotiating track between the government and the opposition including Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi, including a UN role in those negotiations if there is no progress on the political track with regard to prisoners released and changed circumstances with regard to Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi, that we would have to look at what we do and we would have to look at other measures bringing more pressure to bear on the regime. And the Council would have to confront this issue because absent political progress we see the potential for increased instability and the Council cannot remain indifferent to that. We would be an advocate of taking stronger measures. 
There are two paths open to the regime, the path of political progress taking the steps that the Security Council through their PRSTs that you all know have asked for, that would have its own implications for it for the regime, or to defiance on the political track and the world would have to respond to that, the Security Council would respond to that and we certainly and a few other Council members spoke very forcefully that we would have to look at tougher measures to incentivize the regime to cooperate. 
The efforts of the Council are not in contradiction with the efforts of ASEAN, with there is a new group that has been formed, a focus group of states to assist. These are complimentary efforts, but the Council has its own responsibilities and we would have to look at other measures. 
My message to the regime is to take advantage of Mr. Gambari’s visit. To turn a new page, cooperate on a political road map with time bound negotiations, release prisoners including Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi, or face more pressure. The choice is theirs in this regard. 
Thank you I’d be happy…
Reporter: I wonder if you’d suggest at some point in time given the humanitarian disaster that they are going under because of the natural phenomenon that you are now supporting thinking about some punitive measures if they do not lead to certain (inaudible)…
Ambassador Khalilzad: Well we always want to be sensitive to the humanitarian needs and we would not want to do anything that would hurt the humanitarian circumstances. As I said, our only regret is not to have been allowed to do more. The United States and several other countries who are Council members were prepared to do more. No, so under any and all circumstances we want to be sensitive to the humanitarian needs regardless of the political differences that we might have with the target country. 
If we do anything, assuming they don’t, that the reaction is negative, it would have to be much more targeted on those who are responsible for the circumstances on the political track that I described.
Reporter: On Myanmar, John Holmes the Humanitarian Coordinator today has acknowledged that the UN in exchanging funds, money, dollars, with the Myanmar government was losing, he called it a serious amount of funds and it turns out to be about 25% in terms of currency exchange that went straight to the government. 1) What does the US think about this use of funds and 2) is that one of the things that the US government or others would ask the government to waive during a time of humanitarian crisis?
Ambassador Khalilzad: Well we want obviously for the government in any of these circumstances, you’ve heard us speak about Zimbabwe earlier, to do nothing that depletes the supply of humanitarian assistance whether it is a natural or man made humanitarian crisis. So that will be my generic response. But with regard to your specific reference to what Mr. Holmes has said, I have not seen he has said and I will have get back to you on that. 
Reporter: On Darfur if I may. Would you afford that the UN lose its 3,000 Rwandan troops on the ground regarding General Karenzi’s appointment saying he is involved in the genocide in his country?
Ambassador Khalilzad: Well, the Secretary-General is very much focused on this issue, he’s working it, we support him in his effort to try to deal with this issue and I think he is handling it well. I have nothing to add or subtract in terms. At this point I am satisfied with the way he is moving about this. He knows that he has a responsibility in this area and that he has to do what needs to be done and I have confidence in him in this regard. 
Reporter: (inaudible) two countries have paralyzed the Security Council when it comes to Burma in the Security Council.
Ambassador Khalilzad: Can you repeat that again?

Reporter: A former Burmese prisoner, who was meeting in this building, said that two countries are paralyzing the Security Council when it comes to Burma. Being a permanent member of the Security Council, do you also feel constrained?
Ambassador Khalilzad: I am sure he wasn’t talking about the United States as one of the two. But look, let me focus my comments to the Burmese authorities. If they do not cooperate on a time bound negotiation and the release of political prisoners, if they think that allowing Mr. Gambari is just to buy time, for him to come just to buy time, to deflect pressure, that they can get away with that over time – they are misguided. There will be a Security Council focus on this issue. There will be a majority of countries that will push for action if there is no progress. Now of course we know the rules of the game, countries could stop effective Council action in this regard. We will come to that. But that will not deter us from pushing for action, for sustained focus and attention by the Security Council on this issue. So I would urge them to take advantage of the opportunity that the Gambari visit offers to make progress and agreement with him on a political roadmap that is a credible roadmap, that has time bound negotiations and the release of political prisoners. Thank you.
Reporter: On the naming of (inaudible)…
Ambassador Khalilzad: Well, we wish her well. This is a very important appointment; she has to be the voice for human rights, focus on the violations of human rights, speak clearly and focus world attention on the egregious violations of human rights that unfortunately still take place in many places around the world. We look forward to working with her. 
Reporter: Did you oppose her nomination?
Ambassador Khalilzad: We did not oppose the nomination. We asked for time when we initially heard of the nomination because there was, as you know, in the current environment, once names are in a play a lot of stuff comes across as to what she has said and what she has done or what she hasn’t done to look at those, and we did that. But we look forward to – we have the confidence that some of the issues that people have raised with regard to her are not relevant. We didn’t find substance to the allegations, so we … she has taken a big job, an important job, a job that requires working with a lot of different forces and players. She’s a voice of the international community, of the UN, on the human rights issue. We wish her well and look forward to working with her. 
Reporter: (inaudible)
Ambassador Khalilzad: I haven’t seen anything credible.