Jim Webb

I appreciate that--the timely hearing that you brought forward here.

I can think of no greater tribute to those who fought the larger wars of the 20th century, to have them located in a way that they can be accessible to those who come and visit our national capital.

We have an active dialogue with the Chinese Government, as we do with many others, in terms of the overall development strategy and political strategy in Afghanistan.

I think that clearly China sees a stable Afghanistan as in their own security interests.

I totally agree with.

I think perhaps we may reach a point where we might encourage the Afghanis to examine their constitution that was arrived at, at the Bonn Conference in 2001.

Where I really would like to spend my time today is how we are separating out who actually should be confronted as an enemy on the battlefield.

If those are people who can be brought over to our view, and if we're having trouble recruiting on the ANA, which we seem to be, while the size of this resistance element seems to be growing, how are you making the distinction, in terms of…

I would like to see an endpoint, and this is something that you can expect to hear more on, from our perspective, over the coming months.

Senator Webb, a Democrat from Virginia, compared it to 'the old Soviet Union.'

I am privileged to join my colleague from Virginia, Senator Mark Warner, here today for the purpose of introducing to this Committee Virginia Supreme Court Justice Barbara M. Keenan.

It is important to the people of Virginia and to the proper functioning of this court that this vacancy be filled as expeditiously as possible.

I believe that the President has made an extraordinary choice in nominating Justice Keenan.

Meet as often as possible with the leadership in Nyapyidaw to press the case for the release of political prisoners and for allowing greater democratic freedoms.

We have a number of suggestions for U.S. policy, even in the absence of removing targeted sanctions at this time.

We applaud Senator Webb's recent visit and courageous new approach to the issue.

U.S. Policy must openly invite, listen to and empower all Burma Minorities just as we did the Kurds in Iraq!

I hope my opinion, which is also shared by my fellow monks inside and outside Burma, will be included in the subcommittee's examination of the effectiveness of U.S. policy toward Burma.

Sanctions help preserve the natural resources of Burma for future generations.

I was disappointed by your hearing yesterday, which I saw as rather one-sided.

Burma is the keystone to a free Asia. Without 8888, there would have been no Tianenmen Square.

The Burmese military regime has attempted to silence our voices, and this hearing would have presented a strong opportunity for the Senate to hear directly from the legitimate leaders of Burma.

Sanctions provide strong encouragement for Burma's democrats, who are risking their lives everyday to restore democracy.

By placing sanctions against Burma's regime, the U.S. proves its seriousness about national reconciliation and democratization in Burma.

I think it is also hubris for the United States to think that we can move that document. I think we can encourage rethinking about it, but it is up to the Burmese themselves.