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 (Myanmar), covering democratization progress, quality of life improvements, and multilateral diplomatic strategy. The report fulfills obligations under the 1997 Foreign Operations Appropriations Act.

Federal Register Open PDF 67 FR 5923

Impact dates

Date TBD
Semi-annual report due every 6 months following enactment of Public Law 104-208 (September 30, 1996; reports due approximately March 30 and September 30)

Key directives

Transmit attached report to appropriate congressional committees
Arrange for Federal Register publication of this memorandum

Who is ordered

Secretary of State · Department of State

Timeline

Immediate

Transmission of attached report to congressional committees
Federal Register publication arranged

Near term (90d)

—

Long term

Continued semi-annual reporting cycle every 6 months under statutory mandate

Risks & tensions

Statutory reporting requirement creates persistent diplomatic pressure mechanism without guaranteed policy change
Vague 'progress' metrics allow subjective executive branch assessment of Burmese regime conduct