The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee senior staff member Keith Luse along with social worker Fred Gilbert, visited the Fort Wayne Mon Buddhist Temple on September 6. Fort Wayne is home to the largest Mon population in the U.S.A. In the two weeks prior to their visit, word had spread throughout the Fort Wayne community, with residents become increasingly excited at the prospect of someone visiting them from Washington, D.C.
Luse and Cathy Gallmeyer, director of Senator Richard Lugar's northeast Indiana office, held discussions with MRC CC members, lasting over two hours. The talks began with a briefing on the situation Mon people face in Burma, and then when resettled overseas, and went onto to discuss Mon cultural beliefs. Nai Thet Lwin and Michael Mon detailed Mon history to the visitors, with their in-depth analysis going back many centuries.
Luse later gave details on recent legislation banning the import of jade, rubies and other gems from Burma, explaining the hope behind the legislation - applying pressure on the ruling military junta. The bill also requires the U.S. President to send a special envoy to Burma and neighbouring countries doing business with the country.
Kun Yekha made a presentation on human trafficking in Burma, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. Human trafficking is of great interest to Luse, who recently traveled to Kuala Lumpur to participate in discussions with the Malay authorities on trafficking, gangs, brokers, Thai police and immigration.
Back in Fort Wayne, the meeting also covered human rights abuses, land confiscation, rape and ethnic cleansing policies used by the SPDC, the cease-fire situation and Mon refugees in Thailand and Malaysia. Luse was shocked to learn of the human rights violations occurring daily in Southern Ye.
In conclusion Senator Lugar stated that, "A more effective approach to Burma is a more lateral approach by more countries." He went on to say he hoped U.S. President George W. Bush would appoint a Burma-bound special envoy before leaving office later this year,"… thereby setting a foundation to continue and expand efforts in Burma."
