After the attackers broke the windows on Daw Suu's car, the driver sped off. She escaped beating, because she did not get out of the car. If she did, the attackers would have killed her.

As Daw Suu's car left, we also ran away. People fled on motorcycle and foot. We ran as far as we could, but we grew tired. We flagged down a car and tried to drive away with 18 people crammed inside, but the USDA members were waiting for us, blocking the way and beating people who had fled earlier.

We were trapped. Since we had nowhere to go, we drove off the road and got stuck in a ditch. Fortunately, there were some woods nearby. Altogether, we counted 97 people hiding in the woods, and we all slept there overnight.

Two of those hiding with us turned out to be part of the gang that had attacked us. They told us they had been ordered to do so by the USDA. They explained, "We had never done such a thing in our life and since we could not bear to do such a thing, we came fleeing with you."

The next morning, we all slowly approached the main road, at about 5:00 am. Shortly thereafter, we heard several gunshots. The military regime's police, from their cars, were firing at our motorcycles.

Since the police were firing at anyone who used the road, we walked across rice fields until we reached a village where local people allowed us to stay for the night. We exchanged clothes with some others the next day, and continued walking. Along the way, we met some other USDA members, who told us that they had been paid 800 kyats, and given meals and liquor in exchange for beating up a group of people. The USDA members had not realized that the people they were going to beat up were NLD members.

I arrived in the United States a couple of weeks ago. I would like to say that the people of Burma very much admire the people of the United States. We know the United States stands for freedom, and we greatly appreciate everything you have done for us. The people of Burma are defiant-their will is strong, and they want change. We are not victims, but freedom fighters, and will continue our struggle. Mr. GALLEGLY. Thank you very much, Mr. Maung.

Our second panelist is Mr. Steven Dun, an ethnic Karen who was born in Rangoon. In 1974, due to ethnic persecution, then 10 years old, Mr. Dun and his family fled the Karen State for the ThiaBurma border. Mr. Dun served as a teacher in a Karen school, and later taught basic survival skills to local populations.

While recuperating from a boating accident which left Mr. Dun paralyzed from the waist down, the Burmese army overran Karen bases and Mr. Dun was forced to flee the country. Since that time Mr. Dun has assisted in setting up data communications and continues to advocate on behalf of the Karen and the other ethnic peoples of Burma.

Welcome, Mr. Dun.

STATEMENT OF STEPHEN DUN, WORLD AID

Mr. DUN. Thank you, Chairman Gallegly, Vice Chairman Pitts, and other Members. Thank you for the opportunity to testify before the Subcommittees regarding the human rights situation in Burma.

My name is Stephen Dun and I am an ethnic Karen. My home is in Burma, in the Karen State, but I can no longer return. I now work with World Aid, a nonprofit organization that provides humanitarian aid, such as food and medical supplies to the internally displaced persons of Burma.

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Dun, if we could maybe-Joe, if you could just move one of the other microphones over temporarily we are having a little problem there. We have great staff. We can accomplish anything.

Mr. DUN. Thank you.

Mr. GALLEGLY. Thank you.

Mr. DUN. So continuing, I want to thank you for the recent passage of the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act that is applying most needed pressure on the military regime. The people of Burma very much appreciate your help, and are comforted by the fact that we have not been forgotten.

All the people are Burma are captives in their own country. Burma was once a rich country, but has descended into poverty due to the corruption and brutal policies of the military regime. Burma now has least developed country status and is ranked one of the world's 10 poorest nations. Under the military regime, Burma has plunged into an economic crisis.

The military regime attacks, kills, rapes and terrorizes the ethnic people of Burma, resulting in the current 600,000 to one million internally displaced persons, or the IDPs. They have been systematically driven from their homes, farms, and villages by the Burmese military in brutal campaigns of looting, rape, torture, and murder. Burma army troops are constantly trying to undermine the survival of the population. In many areas they launch military operations under the growing and harvesting seasons. The burn fields of rice just when it is ready for harvesting. They plant land mines at entrances to fields and around water sources so that it is impossible for people to tend their fields.

The IDPs are hunted and killed and animals. Those who are captured are forced to be porters, human shields, and land mine sweepers, or human land mine sweepers. Women and girls are raped, sometimes gang raped until they are dead. Men, women, and children are often shot on the spot. Many of them are rounded up like cattle and forced to move to relocation camps controlled by the Burma army. Those who live in hiding must be ready to flee at a moment's notice or be shot.

I would like to submit this photograph today of an 8-year-old girl who was shot in the abdomen by the Burma army. She is sitting next to a 15-year-old girl here who was shot in the arm on October 30, 2002. Six civilians were shot that day just because they happened to be in their fields. One civilian was killed, and this letter 8-year-old girl barely survived, and the bullet is still lodged in her abdomen. This girl faces each day with great fear and tremendous dread that she may be shot again.

Unfortunately, the military regime of Burma is unrelenting in its mission to oppress and control all of Burma. Their brutality is similar to that of all oppressive dictatorships. The regime has escalated its military build-up. It has been supplied arms by various countries, including China and Russia.

The Chinese arms manufacturer, Norinco, has provided billions of dollars of weapons. This is the same company which has been sanctioned by the United States for assisting in Iran's missile program.

In July 2001, the regime brought 10 MiG-29 fighter jets from Russia for $130 million. The $40 million down payment was transferred in the same week that Burma received its initial share of royalties, approximately about $100 million, from Thailand's state oil company for gas from the Yadana pipeline, which is the UNOCAL and TOTAO project there. This pipeline carries gas from Burma to Thailand, and was built with forced labor.

While health and education programs suffer, the generals have begun a program to build a 10 megawatt nuclear research reactor to be built by the ministry for atomic energy of the Russian Federation.

In light of the horrific human rights violations, the economic instability, HIV/AIDS and health crisis, the current security concerns, the Burma army's argument that no one should interfere with its internal affairs is meaningless. The international community, or allies in Southeast Asia and the United States need to take serious action on Burma. We recommend the following actions for the United States Government and the international community.

One, continue to press for tripartite dialogue. The dialogue should include Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy, the ethnic groups, and representatives of the military regime. Though Aung San Suu Kyi may be released, that alone is not sufficient progress. This will only take us back to the status quo of the pre-May attempt of Daw Suu's life. The United States and international community must insist that measurable progress toward freedom and democracy is made. This effort should be raised at the U.N. Security Council.

Two, provide financial assistance for humanitarian relief to the IDPs, and persuade neighboring countries not to block, but to allow desperately needed humanitarian assistance for the IDPs. This would include food, medicine, clothes, and educational supplies.

Presently, despite the regime's efforts to eradicate relief efforts, it is important to note that there are ongoing procedures and mechanisms in place that allow for effective monitoring of humanitarian relief to IDPs.

Three, encourage neighboring countries to allow pro-democracy Burma and ethnic groups to freely conduct their non-violent activities in these countries. This is building a foundation for a future free Burma by strengthening civil society.

Four, establish a U.N. Security Council commission on Burma to ensure that detailed steps with defined consequences for noncompliance be taken on a specific schedule to restore democracy. This commission should examine patterns of duplicity whereby the military regime continues brutal policies without attracting international attention.

For example, whenever the military is about to launch a major offensive in the rural areas against ethnic populations, they create a distraction in the cities, so that the press loses sight of the horrific violations. On May 6, 2002, the regime released Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest. Simultaneously the Burma Army 88th division launched a heavy offensive on the Dooplaya district in Karen State.

Thank you again for letting me bring to your attention the situation in Burma and its needs. I wish to extend a special thanks to those Americans who have selflessly and with full knowledge of the risks put their lives in danger and freely brought help, hope and love to the oppressed of Burma, thereby withholding what President Bush recently stated, "The liberty we prize is not America's gift to the world, it is God's gift to humanity.'

[The prepared statement of Mr. Dun follows:]

PREPARED STATEMENT OF STEPHEN DUN, WORLD AID

Mr. Chairman, Thank you for the opportunity to testify before the House International Relations Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Human Rights Subcommittee on Asia and The Pacific and to bring this message to you and the Subcommittee Members regarding the human rights situation in Burma. My name is Stephen Dun and I am an ethnic Karen. My home in Burma, in the Karen State, but I can no longer return. I now work with World Aid, a non-profit organization that provides humanitarian aid, such as food and medical supplies to the Internally Displaced Persons of Burma.

I would like to thank you and the Members of the House and Senate who voted to pass the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act that is applying much needed pressure on the military regime. Your courage and compassion sets an example for all of us and is a tremendous encouragement. The people of Burma as well as expatriates are very grateful that our people have not been forgotten. We are also very glad that Japan has suspended economic aid and we hope that the European Union will move quickly to stand with the United States to help bring about the change in Burma from a military dictatorship to a democracy that represents all the peoples of Burma.

All the people of Burma are captives in their own country-both the urban population, which is mostly made up of the Burman ethnic group, as well as the rural population, which is mostly made up of ethnic peoples. Burma was once a rich country, but it has descended into poverty due to corruption and the brutal policies of the Burmese military regime. The regime prospers from the production of narcotics. Through their proxy armies they control one of the world's leading sources of opium and heroin and lead the region in amphetamine production (CIA World Factbook, 2003). Half the national budget goes towards military spending, while education and public health services have been severely under-funded. The people of Burma suffer in unbearable poverty and starvation. Education and health care systems do not exist for the general public. Only families of people in high-level government positions can get these services. There is also an escalating economic crisis, with recent limits set by the central bank on cash withdrawals and suspension of credit card services (Agence France-Presse, February 17th 2003). The Association of South East Asian Nations has become greatly concerned. Even China, which is a great ally of the military regime, has voiced concern regarding the economic crisis and regional instability (Inter Press Services, September 2nd 2003).

In spite of its current placating words and promises, the military regime in Burma has continued to perpetuate brutal and oppressive policies. In fact, since the May 6th 2002 release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest, the atrocities have escalated, as can be seen in the recent attempt on her life. The military regime is still holding Aung San Suu Kyi a prisoner and continues to commit atrocities throughout the country with impunity. This is a cruel a regime that daily commits acts of terror against its own people.

The people of Burma have been living under this military regime for decades and thousands have sacrificed their lives in the effort to restore democracy and human rights. We hang on by a thread of hope that the free nations of the world will assist us and restore our rightfully elected leaders, our land, and our human dignity. We long to be the free, democratic and prosperous nation we once were. We will never give up that dream, but we need your help.

The military regime attacks, kills, rapes and terrorizes the ethnic people of Burma resulting in the current 600,000 to 1 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). They have been systematically driven from their homes, farms and villages by the Burmese military in brutal campaigns of looting, rape, torture and murder. Burma Army troops are constantly trying to undermine the survival of the population. In many areas, they launch military operations during the growing and harvesting seasons. In addition they often burn fields of rice, just when they are ready for harvesting. Further they plant landmines at entrances to fields and around water sources, so that it is impossible for people to tend their fields (Karen Human Rights Group, 1999).

Living in the rugged hills in areas near the border with Thailand, IDPs are hunted and killed like animals by the military thugs. Those who are captured are forced to be porters, human shields and human landmine-sweepers. Women and girls are raped, sometimes gang-raped until they are dead. Men, women and children are often shot on the spot. Many of them are rounded up like cattle and forced to move to relocation camps controlled by the Burma Army. Those who live in hiding must be ready to flee at a moment's notice if they are discovered. IDPs trying to cross into Thailand often find the crossing dangerous and difficult, due to the increased

presence of Burma army patrols and the growing reluctance of Thai officials to even allow them across the border. There are now well over 100,000 refugees living in camps along the Thai-Burma border and over one million undocumented migrant workers.

I would like to submit for the Record this photograph of an eight-year-old girl who was shot in the stomach by the Burma Army; she is sitting next to a fifteen-yearold girl who was shot in the arm on October 30, 2002. Six civilians were shot that day, simply because they happened to be seen by a Burma Army Patrol while they were working in their fields. One died and this little eight-year-old girl barely survived the bullet is still lodged in her abdomen. This photo was taken in January 2003, by a relief organization that assists IDPs in the most dangerous areas inside Burma. These children survived the shooting but they face each day with great fear and tremendous dread that they may be shot again.

As I look at this little girl's eyes, I see the pain and also the determination of the people of Burma, the people who suffer the most, the people who are our future. Their situation grows bleaker every day. How can any one allow these children to suffer like this? In addition to the atrocities, IDPs now face starvation. They lack food, medicine, educational opportunities and physical security. The depredations created by the Burmese military have reached a humanitarian crisis of major proportions.

Yet, in the face of this oppression and humanitarian crisis, the ethnic peoples have not given up and are doing their best to help their people. The pro-democracy resistance groups, although badly outnumbered, continue to try to protect their people and they try to provide relief through their social welfare offices and other organizations such as the committee for Internally Displaced Karen and Karenni people (CIDKP and CIDKNP), the Shan Human Rights Foundation (SHRF) and the Free Burma Rangers (FBR). These groups make every effort to provide emergency relief, leadership, and capacity building to the IDPs despite extreme difficulty. Their desire is simply to help the people of Burma by bringing relief and hope.

I recently received a report from a relief team leader after a May 2003 mission to the IDPs of Burma. It is an eyewitness report from the ground and a call to prayer, thought and action:

"As we were treating IDPs in Karen state at a recently burned village, deeper inside Burma Aung San Suu Kyi had just been arrested and many of her supporters murdered. Ethnic or Burman, no one is safe from the terror of the dictators of Burma. We have helped to treat and pray for women who have been raped by soldiers of the Burma Army, children who were shot, parents who saw their children thrown into a fire and many others who have endured evil. They screamed for help but no one came to save them. The world knows these things are happening. In this world actions fall into two categories: acceptable and unacceptable. Raping little girls, murdering civilians and burning villages is unacceptable. If these things are truly unacceptable what must we do as individuals and nations? Now is the time that all people must choose where they stand, with the people of Burma or with the dictators. In the face of evil we will not flee, we will act with love, with prayer and with our lives."

Unfortunately, the military regime of Burma is unrelenting in its mission to oppress and control all of Burma; their brutality is similar to that of all oppressive dictatorships and if left unchecked, this regime could force the world into having to face another Afghanistan, Iraq, or North Korea. Under such regimes, military aggression is used not only to oppress the people within the country, but also to become a force that eventually could threaten neighboring countries and the international community.

The Burma regime's military build-up is escalating. In July 2001 the regime bought 10 MiG-29 fighter jets from Russia for $130 million. The $40 million down payment was transferred in the same week that Burma received its initial share of royalties (approximately $100 million) from Thailand's state oil company for gas from the Yadana pipeline (Bangkok Post, July 17th 2001). The pipeline provides natural gas from the Andaman Sea through the Tenasserim region of Burma and into Thailand. This pipeline was built with forced labor. In addition, while health and education programs suffer, the generals have begun a program to build a 10MW Russian nuclear research reactor, to be built by the Ministry for Atomic Energy of the Russian Federation (Minatom) for the military regime's Ministry of Science and Technology (Nuclear Threat Initiative 2002, May 15th). Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman, Richard Lugar, recently wrote about these concerns in the Washington Post. A 10 MW reactor, although small, would be capable of producing both nuclear power and waste.