ExecutiveOrdersEO
MemoMemorandumG.W. Bush · R

Presidential Memorandum

Report to the Congress Regarding Conditions in Burma and U.S. Policy Toward Burma

This memorandum directs the Secretary of State to transmit to Congress a statutorily required semi-annual report on conditions in Burma and U.S. policy toward Burma for September 2002–March 2003. The attached report documents stalled democratization, ongoing human rights abuses, a banking crisis, mixed counternarcotics progress, and maintains existing U.S. sanctions while holding out the possibility of increased sanctions or support depending on future Burmese regime behavior.

Federal Register Open PDF 68 FR 17529

Impact dates

  1. Semi-annual report due every 6 months following enactment of Public Law 104-208

Key directives

  • Secretary of State authorized and directed to transmit attached report to appropriate congressional committees
  • Secretary of State directed to arrange for publication in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Report transmitted to Congress and published in Federal Register

Near term (90d)

  • Potential consideration of additional sanctions if no progress on democracy/human rights
  • ILO efforts to develop viable program of action on forced labor

Long term

  • Possible U.S. policy adjustment based on Burmese political transition progress
  • HIV/AIDS program continuation
  • Counternarcotics cooperation evaluation

Risks & tensions

  • Sanctions policy creates tension between promoting democracy and addressing humanitarian crisis
  • ILO forced labor engagement showing limited government cooperation
  • Banking crisis may deepen economic instability with regional spillover risks
  • Methamphetamine production surge offsetting opium reduction gains
Presidential Memorandum: Report to the Congress Regarding Conditions in Burma and U.S. Policy Toward Burma · Executive Orders