Political Quotes

“I thank Mr. Engel for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this resolution. At the same time, I want to express concerns about the full thrust of the resolution. It makes it clear that the military in Burma is the main perpetrator of the crimes committed against the Rohingya people. In November, Secretary Tillerson called the violence against the Rohingya ``ethnic cleansing,'' holding the military responsible. Some have urged that Aung San Suu Kyi does not control the military and there is a danger that the military would use the present crisis as a way to dismantle the civilian government. It has also been said that the civilian government is working within a deep traditional bias against the Rohingyas, and some see them as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. Others point out the pressure on the civilian government could lead to Burma moving closer to the Chinese. Still others point out that talks about Rohingyas returning to Burma must be afforded time to work out, and the process has only begun. None of these factors must undermine the realities of the persecution of the Rohingyas. As a U.N. official has stated, it is ``a textbook example of ethnic cleansing.'' The Pope was under great pressure to not mention the Rohingyas by name. He expressed his deep concern while visiting the country. Later in Bangladesh, the Pope, being specific, said: ``None of us can fail to be aware of the gravity of the situation.'' He called for ``. . .…”