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. burma policy. Taking a leap of faith that an approach combining engagement and pressure would help usher in democratic reform where sanctions alone had failed. Although many were skeptical burmas 2010 elections brought an opportunity to test a more proactive engagement approach. And in the ensuing years the United States worked to balance engagement with military and the democratic grass roots movement. Undoubtably this had a positi positivefect on the burmas democratic reforms including the 2015 election. 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 obumau administration unilaterally rolled back most of the restrictions on u. S. Engagement with burma. A year into the 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, Structural 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 systematically killed, hundreds of thousands of people fled as their homes burned. We continue to hear the truly heart breaking accounts of human suffering. International frustration at burmese governments failure to protect against such atrocities is even more heightened. Given decades of hope, state department defacto leader. Of course our First Priority must remain humanitarian situation, including half a million men, women and children who fled to bangladesh. I also think we should not shy away from an honest assessment of u. S. Policy towards burma. Last year i raised specific concerns with ms. Sue chae about her governments and i publicly shared my shock and dismay at her dismissiveness at these concerns. An attitude that has remained even in the face of mounting internation criticism. Her failure to acknowledge the seemingly Systematic Campaign of brutality by the Burmese Military, continues to undermine democratic transition as a whole. The United States should not abandoned burma, however, it might be time for a policy adjustment. Hope to have a candid conversation about the direction of u. S. Policy towards burma, including the role congress can play in addressing humanitarian efforts. I want to thank you again for being here. I want to take i think its merkleys birthday today. Is that right . Yes, mr. Chairman. Yes, sir. As much as i i can tell you were not paying attention to my opening statement. And i want to know if youre listening. And i understand youre getting ready to go to burma . Were certainly hoping to get that together. If i could invite all the members to join us. Well, first of all, happy birthday and you really know where to go to celebrate a birthday. So we appreciate your willingness to take that trip. Mr. Chairman, thank you so much for holding this hearing. Now its burma. Another country thats committing ethnic cleansing. Another country under the watch of the International Community thats allowed to purp trait an atrocity. Make no mistake about it, trausties have taken place in burma. We have the humanitarian crisis. We have purp traitors who expect impunity. And theres no reason to doubt that in fact that may in fact occur. This is ethnic cleansing. I know that the administration is evaluating that as were holding this hearing. Ethnic cleansing is defined by the United Nations commitment of exprlths as rendering an area ethnically home genius by removing persons of given groups from an area. Half of the population of the rohingyas in burma have left. 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 significant init gaugement at the highest levels in partnership with the burmese civilian government to hold perpetrators accountable for these horrific acts. Unfortuna unfortunately the Rohingya Crisis is not the only vexing crisis. The Burmese Military continues to hold significant influence in power and the economy. The Peace Process was sought to end, has stalled. 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 and sanctions. The psz will be attending the 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. 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 department of state. Thank you, sir for your service. Second witness today is Deputy Assistant secretary for the bureau of population refugees miigation and migration at the department of state. Our third witness is ms. Kate siri. That was an approving smile. I did that correctly. Thank you. Acting Deputy Assistant of 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 enteri entered into the record. Chairman corker, Ranking Member carden, distinguished members of the committee, burma has emerged from a decades long struggle to defy authoritarian rule and to transation 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 improving the prospects for all the diverse populations of burma, todays hearing illuminates the fridgility 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. Support the dis placed in their return home. And address the perennial conditions that sparked this most recent colossal Population Movement of over 600,000 people to bangladesh and several 00,000s in 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 gumptd figures and displaced populations. We have consulted with many countries. Our collective message to burma 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. 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 to address human rights access. I travelled to singapore, thailand and vietnam. Others have engaged across the region. Building support for constructive diplomatic engagement. We welcome the 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 associate would atrocities. Finding that all units and officers involved in operations in northern Rakhine State are pursuant to the lehigh law. Rescinding invitations for Burmese Security leaders to attend u. S. Sponsored events, maintaining an embargo on military sales. Un, human rights counsels and other venues. Pressing for access for the Fact Finding Mission and exploring mechanisms under u. S. Law, including global mag nitsky 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 secretary general to address underdevelopment, shortcomings in 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. In doing so, we look to partner with congress on burma as we have done across successive administrations for kedecades. 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 violence ahead. It continues to dev state vulnerable 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 peepl and force further displacement inside Rakhine State itself. The magnitude and speed make it one of the most dramatic humanitarian crisis 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 International Organizations will also need operational space. We emphasize at all opportunities to burmese officials at all levels of government the requirement to allow hooum anitarian 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 our 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 exaser baited the situation as flooding has made aid delivery even more challenging. 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 aect iffed by the u Rakhine State. 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, the United States nearly 104 million in assistance to displaced populations in burma and 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 34 million in Emergency Assistance to address inlatest crisis. This allowed partners on the ground to respond immediately as refugees were already arriving to the newly stabbed camps. Our contributions provide food, shelter, water, and core relief items both inside burma and in bangladesh. We also target assistance for victims of genderbased violence and larly for vulnerable children. Yesterday in geneva, countries pledged over 400 million to meet the need. The United States is not carrying this burden alone. The primary goals are protection and establishing meaningful Durable Solutions for those that have been displaced include regturning home when conditions permit. The u. S. Government humanitarian assistance f ancance provides at lifeline until this bekwms a possibility. Were grateful for the g generosity of the congress and American People who make our assistance possible. Ms. Siri. Yes. Thank you for invietding me to speak to you today. The violence in northern Rakhine State has results in massive displacements in not only myanmar but bangladesh. The this marks the Decision Point with the whole world watching. In response to the