US Senator Calls for Sanctions against Burma
23 January 2006

“Sanctions worked in South Africa, and they will in Burma, too,” writes US Senator Mitch McConnell in an opinion piece for TIME Asia Magazine on January 23.  He argues that sanctions are the best method to bring about democracy in Burma, because they will attack the junta’s monopoly over the economy, international credibility, and because “the legitimately elected leaders in Burma support sanctions.”  Senator McConnell contends that engagement, which he contends Thailand and Japan have tried, has failed to achieve anything.  Responding to those who oppose sanctions on the basis that they hurt those whom they are meant to help, McConnell responds, “Sanctions don't pull the trigger of a gun or indiscriminately rape ethnic-minority women and girls.” 
    
Senator McConnell argues that the international community must increase pressure to help solve Burma’s problems.  “Dialogue without pressure leads nowhere,” he argues. 

The full article can be found here:
http://www.time.com/time/asia/covers/501060130/burma_vpt.html