Tutu, Suu Kyi Praise Unknown Activists

As heads of state from all around world gather at the UN General Assembly in New York today, two of the world’s most famous activists held a talk a few blocks away in mid-town Manhattan to discuss their own struggles against authoritarian regimes.

Desmond Tutu, South Africa’s charismatic anti-Apartheid activists and Aung San Suu Kyi, the Burmese opposition politician who spent more than 15 years under house arrest, were at the Clinton Global Initiative today to share experiences but also pay homage to unnamed political dissidents and human right defenders whose stories often go untold. 

Aung San Suu Kyi says international exposure and her fame have protected her from violent reprisals, but she remains concerned over the fate her supporter supporters who continue their fight for “dignity and democracy,”

“It takes tremendous courage from unknown soldiers to defend our cause,” she told the New York audience via teleconference from Myanmar. 

“When you stand out in a crowd, it is only because you are carried on the shoulders of others” added Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who of late has been focusing his advocacy work on combatting child marriages. 

The 79 year old Archbishop says he has been reaching out to traditional and religious leaders in affected communities to create dialogue and understanding on the issue. 

Aung San Suu Kyi and Bishop Tutu also discussed their role as spokespersons for their causes, agreeing that one of the most important contributions they can make is to cultivate the international community awareness and continue to support movements for democracy in a climate of freedom from fear.

Workers in Burma victims of abuse by country's military

Co-Founder and Executive Director of EarthRights International Ka Hsaw Wa says the way workers in Burma are treated by the military are unbearable. He also says that American companies in Burma don't do anything about it. (1:18)

Senate confronts lack of confrontation on human rights violations

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said the U.S. must assume a role in business to fight violations of human rights. He added that this issue is very complicated, "not a black and white issue." Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) said that there is no excuse for companies, both national and international, to fail at protecting human rights. The Senate Judiciary Committee met to discuss international violations of human rights and the response from the United States.

In 2003, fatalities in the Niger Delta were "comparable to Iraq and Afghanistan," said Executive Director of Environmental Rights Action Nnimmo Bassey. Bassey said that the abundance of oil in the Niger Delta has made things worse. Oil has contributed to "50 years of dashed hope," continued Bassey. Senior Vice President for Social Research and Policy for Calvert Bennett Freeman called the Niger Delta "one of the most dangerous places to work in the world.

Co-Founder and Executive Director of EarthRights International Ka Hsaw Wa spoke about the conditions in Burma. He said that companies, such as Chevron, that work in Burma along the Yadana Pipeline are allowing human rights violations, including murder and torture, to happen without confrontation. These companies are "representatives of the United States," said Wa. He urged the U.S. government to hold these companies accountable.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of the State Department Jeffrey Krilla said the government has established an organization called Voluntary Principles (VP) to thwart human rights violations abroad. Currently, VP has four member nations; the U.S., the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Norway. He said the goal of VP was to work with international governments to find ways of enforcing human rights laws committed by private corporations. While VP has helped dialogue on human rights abroad, it is "not a cure-all," said Krilla.

White House Gaggle

Briefer: White House Press Secretary Dana Perino

Schedule:

The President had his normal briefings this morning. At 10.30 am, the President and Mrs. Bush will participate in the signing of H.J Res. 93, the Renewal of Import Restrictions on Burman and in the signing of H.R 3890, the Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE (Junta’s Anti-Democratic Efforts). At 10.45 am, President Bush signs H.R. 1553, the Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act of 2008. This afternoon at 1.25 pm, the President departs the White House heading to Ohio. He will make remarks on energy and the economy at the Lincoln Electric Company Euclid, Ohio. At 5.45 pm, President Bush attends a Congressional Trust 2008 Reception at a private residence at Gates Mills, Ohio.

There will no be briefing today

Energy

Perino said that Congress goes on their recess by the end of the week leavening several proposals in the air, including opening energy resources such as ANWR, off shore drilling, oil shale, and streamlining opening refineries. She also said that the President will discuss all of this in his remarks later today. In the President’s cabinet meeting tomorrow they will discuss energy needs, which are the most important needs facing Americans today. Asked several questions about people driving less, Perino said that this shows laws of supply and demand, she also said that the Administration will look for way to bring the prices down. When asked about the highway trust fund, she said that the President has a way to address it in the budget and she does not believe that the way to deal with it is raising taxes.

Iraq

Asked about the uptick in Iraq, Perino said that there was a lot less violence and a need for flexibility with the military, and that we still have a determined enemy. She also said that high profile attacks using female bomber is deplorable.

Housing Bill

Dana said: “ At some time it is going to irresponsible if they don’t sent it [the housing bill]” She continued to say, that they need to send the bill to us and again pushing the White House concept of the- do-nothing-Congress, they are back in town over a long weekend recess. She also said that “you can’t put a timetable when the housing market rebounds”.

Serbia

When asked about US efforts to catch Karadzic, Perino said that over the years we have been supporting of efforts, “that is all I can say”.


Burma

Dana said that sanctions can work and the goal is to squeeze the people that are pressing people and not the people.

Southeast Asia no longer an afterthought

A discussion on U.S. engagement in Southeast Asia was held at the Woodrow Wilson Center. U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and Ambassador for ASEAN Affairs Scot Marciel spoke at the event and gave his updates and opinions on the matter.

Marciel admitted that countries of Southeast Asia are often a mere afterthought when Americans think of Asia. He pointed out that the impression he received from all his travels to Southeast Asian countries was that Southeast Asia wants more engagement with the U.S. in terms of greater trade and investment, more educational exchange and a partnership to help resolve problems. Marciel noted that, thus far, the U.S. has spent more than $200 million on health assistance in Southeast Asian countries.

While the relationship between the U.S. and Southeast Asia appears to be flourishing, Marciel emphasized that there are more areas to work on such as economics, food and energy security as well as promoting reform in places such as Burma. Marciel said that the final challenge was to ‘get the word out’ on the different aspects of partnership that the U.S. and Southeast Asia are participating in.