------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------ "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies" ---------------------------------------------------------- The BurmaNet News: February 26, 1996 Issue #351 HEADLINES: ========== THE NATION: US-BASED BURMESE ACTIVISTS CLAIM GAINS MADE IN FIGHT FOR SANCTIONS AGAINST SLORC ------------------------------------------------------------ -- THE NATION: US-BASED BURMESE ACTIVISTS CLAIM GAINS MADE IN FIGHT FOR SANCTIONS AGAINST SLORC February 26, 1996 Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON -Burma's critics in the United States are claiming modest success in pressing for sanctions against the military government which stands accused of widespread human rights abuses. Legislation for tough sanctions is again pending in Congress and the New York City Council held hearings on Friday on similar legislation that supporters say stands a good chance of becoming law. A dozen other state and local governments across the country have already approved or are considering bills banning contracts with firms operating in Burma - such as Texaco, Unocal, and PepsiCo - while several other large companies have suspended operations in the country. New York's unique status as "an international financial centre and home to the United Nations" would lend special significance to anti-Burma sanctions there, said Thaung Htun, who represents the self-declared Burmese government- in-exile in its dealings with the UN. "It would also support sanctions at the federal level," he said from New York. Aided by Internet and electronic mail links with Burmese dissidents and their supporters in North America, Asia and Europe, US activists say their campaign has gained substantial momentum in the last six months. They have galvanized notably since the Slorc released Aunt San Suu Kyi in July, after keeping her under house arrest for six years. "Hopes were high after Suu Kyi's release," said Zarni, leader of an umbrella group called the Free Burma Coalition. "Everyone thought it marked a significant step toward democracy. But now it's more than clear that they have no intention of changing," he said from Madison, Wisconsin, whose state university campus has played a central role in the campaign for sanctions against Burma. Washington-based opposition leader Bo Hla-Tint agreed. "Slave labour and child labour continue, and the military ignore calls for political dialogue," he said. Human Rights Watch recently catalogued a litany of abuses in Burma, describing its military leaders as increasingly resistant to political compromise despite the release of their most compelling critic. Republican Senator Mitch McConnell calls Suu Kyi's release "a sadistic charade" aimed at diverting from the Junta's stranglehold on power. (TN) ********************** BKK POST: US CONGRESS TO CONSIDER SANCTIONS AGAINST BURMA JUNTA February 26, 1996 Washington, AFP Burma’s critics in the United States are claiming modest success in pressing for sanctions against the military government, accused of wide-spread human rights abuses. Tough sanctions legislation is again pending in Congress, and the New York City Council held hearings Friday on similar legislation that supporters say stands a good chance of becoming law. A dozen other state and local governments across the country have already approved or are considering bills banning contracts with firms operating in Burma _ such as Texaco, Unocal, and PepsiCo _ while several other large companies have suspended operations in the country. New York’s unique status as “an international financial centre and home to the United Nations” would lend special significance to anti-Burma sanctions there, said Thaung Htun, who represents the self-declared Burmese government- in-exile in its dealings with the United Nations. “It would also support sanctions at the federal level,” he said in a telephone interview from New York. Aided by Internet and electronic mail links with Burmese dissidents and their supporters in North America, Asia, and Europe, US activists say their campaign has gained substantial momentum in the last six months. They have galvanised notably since the ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council (Slorc) released opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi in July, after keeping her under house arrest for six years. “Hopes were high after Aung San Suu Kyi’s release,” said Zarni (only one name given), leader of an umbrella group called the Free Burma Coalition. “Everyone thought it marked a significant step to ward democracy.” “But now it’s more than clear that they have no intention of changing,” he said by phone from Madison. Wisconsin, whose state university campus has played a central role in the campaign for sanctions against Burma.Washington-based opposition leader Bo Hla-Tint agreed: “Slave labour and child labour continue, and the military ignore calls for political dialogue.” Human Rights Watch recently catalogued a litany of abuses in Burma, describing its military leaders as increasingly resistant to political compromise despite the release of their most compelling critic.Republican Senator Mitch McConnell calls Aung San Suu Kyi’s release “a sadistic charade” aimed at diverting attention from the junta’s stranglehold on power. McConnell, chairman of a key foreign appropriations committee, has reintroduced a bill that would ban all US aid to and investment in Burma and authorise the president to bar Burmese imports at his discretion. It would also require the United States to oppose multilateral assistance to Burma from agencies such as the Asian Development Bank and International Monetary Fund. Though a similar measure won approval in the full Senate in September, McConnell withdrew it under pressure after colleagues accused him of surreptitiously tacking in onto broader legislation without debate.A modified bill _ minus sweeping provisions that would have revoked most favoured nation (MFN) trade status for any country that failed to support sanctions against Burma, such as Japan and China _ is under review in both houses of Congress. The legislation has won endorsements from several influential senators of both parties, although supporters concede that turning the legislation into federal law will be a difficult fight. One hurdle they will have to overcome through persuasion or massive congressional support is opposition from the White House, which views unilateral sanctions in general as futile. 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