------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------ "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies" ---------------------------------------------------------- The BurmaNet News: March 17, 1997 Issue #669 HEADLINES: ========== REUTER:BURMA’S ETHNIC REBELS MAY RENEGE THAILAND TIMES:UNHCR AID SPURNED FOR FEAR OF INFLUX BKK POST:LONG-NECK KARENS IN LIMBO THE NATION: KNU FREE TO GIVE UP THAILAND TIMES:THAI HOSTILITY AND NEGLECT HIT KAREN THE NATION: FESTIVAL OF FUN SHAREHOLDER RESOLUTIONS: UPDATE ON BURMA FBC: KEEPING PRESSURE ON THE OIL COMPANIES ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- REUTER:BURMA’S ETHNIC REBELS MAY RENEGE ON CEASEFIRES March 16, 1997 By Sutin Wannabovorn BANGKOK, March 16 (Reuter) - Recent skirmishes between a major rebel group and Burmese troops may start to unravel ceasefire deals between Rangoon and more than a dozen ethnic rebel armies, diplomatic, Thai and rebel sources said on Sunday. At least 100 ethnic Wa and Burmese fighters have been killed over the past few months in skirmishes between the guerrillas of the United Wa State Army (UWSA) and government troops in northeastern Burma, Thai and Wa sources said on Sunday. The UWSA was one of the first and regarded as the strongest among the 15 ethnic rebel groups that reached loosely-formed ceasefire accords with Burma’s State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) after the junta seized power in 1988. Rangoon-based diplomats said if the Wa and other rebel groups decided to resume fighting it could spark wider unrest in the country among democracy supporters, peasants and students. The Wa, former headhunters who were the rank and file of the Communist Party of Burma’s military wing, mutinied against their communist leaders in 1989 and agreed to a ceasefire with SLORC in exchange for autonomy in their Shan state strongholds. But recently the UWSA has clashed with Burmese troops in the eastern region of the country, sources on the border said. “The UWSA defied the Burmese demand to withdraw from Doi Lang and other jungle bases that used to belong to Khun Sa and fighting has resumed,” a Thai security source who monitors the border situation told Reuters. Doi Lang was a stronghold of Khun Sa, the opium warlord who surrendered to Burmese troops last year. The source cited field reports that at least 100 people from both sides had been killed during skirmishes in Burma’s Mong Yon, Mong Kok and Doi Lang areas over the past few months. The UWSA, which used to support Burma in its military operations against the Wa’s arch rival, Khun Sa’s Mong Tai Army (MTA), sent guerrillas to occupy former MTA bases after Khun Sa surrendered. Thai and Western anti-narcotics agents say the Wa were the strongest rival to the MTA for heroin production in Burma -- the world’s largest source of opium and heroin. Veteran UWSA commander Maha Hsang said although there had been no serious fighting, minor altercations ontinued and full-blown attacks could resume. “The fighting was halted after the SLORC stopped talking about our withdrawing from Doi Lang,” Maha Hsang told Reuters in a telephone interview from the border. “Despite the fact that all parties have halted major military operations I think fighting will resume sooner or later. Everyone is sitting on a time bomb,” Haha Hsang said. He said mistrust between the rebels and the SLORC still prevailed, so he doubted the UWSA members would fulfill the SLORCÕs demand to hand over their weapons by 1999. Diplomats and analysts in Rangoon have said a major problem for the SLORC in the coming months is how to deal with ethnic insurgency -- a problem that has plagued Burma for decades. The SLORC’s main headache in recent years has been the democracy movement of Nobel peace prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, whose National League for Democracy was barred from taking power after winning a general election in 1990. The 15 ethnic groups that have signed ceasefire deals with SLORC still have weapons and control their respective areas. The Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO), another major rebel faction that signed deal with the SLORC, is said to be ready to resume fighting against the SLORC, rebel sources said. The KIO sent a representative to a gathering of the National Democratic Front (NDF) -- a newly revived rebel organisation which fought Burma’s military rulers in the 1970s and 1980s. KIO officials were not available but participants at last month’s NDF meeting said the KIO had common views with UWSA. “The KIO also predicted that fighting will resume. Nobody trusts the Burmese so they have decided to hold on to their weapons,” Khun Kyaw Oo, who represented the Shan United Revolution Army (SURA) at the seminar, told Reuters. The Karen National Union (KNU) -- the only major rebel group yet to sign a ceasefire deal with the SLORC -- is still waging a war against Rangoon and has headed up the NDF efforts for a coordinated attack against the rebels. ************************************** THAILAND TIMES:UNHCR AID SPURNED FOR FEAR OF REFUGEE INFLUX March 16, 1997 by Yongyuth Times BANGKOK: The government is afraid that United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) aid will bring more Karen refugees across the border, thus preventing the UNHCR from providing full assistance, a senior UNHCR official said. While the UNHCR has come under flak for not doing more in the border camps, Songsit Charuparn, the UNHCR's associate legal officer, said the agency is only able to observe from afar. The government, who is anxious to see the refugees back in their homeland, claims that the high standard of assistance which the UNHCR could offer would prove too attractive to Karens in living Burma's border region, he said. Since 1988 when the State Law and Order Restoration Council (Slorc) took control of Burma refugees have been flooding into Thailand in their thousands. The Slorc's recent onslaught against the anti-Rangoon Karen National Union (KNU) led to a further exodus, swelling the number of refugees in the border area to over 100,000. Living conditions for the refugees are harsh, and many of them are in desperate need of food, water, medicine, and shelter. Recent reports indicate that some 20 Karen refugees have been killed by cholera in Kanchanaburi province, a direct result of their poor living conditions and filthy water supply. Other reports document widespread death form diseases such as malaria. The government has given permission for a number of NGOs to provide direct assistance to the refugees, in addition to the support given by the Thai army. But Songsit said that while the UNHCR is keen to go to the camps to observe the situation themselves, they find it difficult as they must first ask permission form the Foreign Ministry and the National Security Council. "We have received denials on numerous occasions, and the stated reason is always security," he said. Songsit said the UNHCR's role is thus reduced to a coordinating one, contacting NGOs and state agencies and calling on them to provide assistance. But this work is often essential, as was shown two weeks ago when a meeting between the UNHCR and the National Security Council was in large part responsible for Thailand halting its forcibly repatriation of the refugees. Songsit said the refugees could be compared to visitors wanting to come inside form the rain. "We want to make sure the visitors are not left to stand outside the door," he added, "and we will let them out only once the rain has ceased." ******************************************* BKK POST:LONG-NECK KARENS IN LIMBO March 16, 1997 Cheewin Sattha Mae Hong Son Authorities refuges to renew ID cards to a group of long-neck Karens yesterday as it considers them refugees. A queue of Karens gathered at the Muang district office yesterday to have their ID cards renewed only to find that they had no right to have them in the first place. The Mae Hong Son provincial administration has a March 22 deadline for applications for the renewal of ID cards from hill tribe villagers in Thailand. This is because the cards are only valid for six years. The last time the cards were issued was in 1990 and 1991. The authorities, however, believe granting the Karens new ID cards would be tantamount to giving them Thai nationality and would encourage other long-neck Karens to illegally cross the border from Burma. Muang district chief Sitthichai Prasertsri said he had to tell the long-neck Karens to "go home" because they were not Thais and as such were not entitled to Thai ID cards. The Karens fled fighting in Burma and were housed in Ban Huay Pu Kaeng, Ban Huay Sua Thao and Ban Nai Soi in Muang district. A border security source said some Karens had ID cards thanks to the help of administrators at grass-root level. Moo Khue was among those who sought to renew her card yesterday. Her ID card was issued on August 12, 1991, and expires on August 11, this year. ***************************************** THE NATION: KNU FREE TO GIVE UP March 16, 1997 Kyodo RANGOON- In a bid to persuade more Karen rebels to surrender, Burma's ruling junta said yesterday the door for peace with members of the Karen National Union (KNU) is open and the government is ready to receive them with open arms. Gen Maung Aye, commander in chief of the army and dept chairman of the ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC), made the comment at a meeting with his troops in Tavoy, 400 kilometres southeast of Rangoon, the national media reported. Maung Aye has been visiting areas in Karen State and the Tenessarim district where KNU rebel camps have recently been crushed in an offensive by the Slorc which began on Feb 11. He said the "insurrection-clearing operations" has been necessary "since peace and transquility is essential for the development of the country". However, he added, "On our part, the door for peace is open for the KNU, with our arms extended to receive them." Referring to those rebels who have already surrendered, he said, "As though they were part of our own families, we are looking after those peace-loving KNU members who have exchanged weapons for peace." Thousands of the Slorc's troops launched mortar and artillery attacks on Karen guerrillas last month, forcing some 2,000 refugees to flee across the border to Thailand. ***************************************** THAILAND TIMES:THAI HOSTILITY AND NEGLECT HIT KAREN REFUGEES March 16, 1997 by Thongchai Sakornrat and Preeya Hoksee Recent influxes of Karen refugees from Burma have sent alarm bells ringing throughout the Thai government. The refugee crisis is very embarrassing for Thailand, who is faced with international condemnation if it does not shelter the refugees, but it is nonetheless keen to get Burma's Karens off its hands. The thousands of refugees escaping form the Burmese junta's recent onslaught against the Karen National Union (KNU) have brought with them a wealth of problems for Thailand, including diseases such as cholera rampant throughout the refugees camps. Thailand's solution to this is not to assist the refugees, but to send them home. Although the military have allegedly halted a forced repatriation of the Karens, they have vowed that, as soon as the fighting had "eased" (note that they do not say "ceased"), the refugees will have to cross back to their homeland. Having fled from civil war, the refugees have become pariahs in Thai society. Instead of the Thai government negotiating with Burma's junta to halt their offensive against the Karen people, the prime minister and his cohorts try to blame the refugees for their own plight. Thai people living in the border areas are no more friendly to refugees. The Karen are seen as harbingers of a multitude of woes that range from disease to contamination of the local water supply. It is true that many of the refugees have built their shelter in areas near where the water supplies are located. But rather than trying to help, local people and the government accuse the refugees of poor sanitation. So what do they expect? That the asylum seekers will be rich enough to build palaces? A visit to the camp reveals just how harsh the refugees' living conditions are. Dust gets in the food, hair, eyes, cloths, and no garbage collection and disposal system means that disease spreads like wildfire. Health problems are exacerbated because medical equipment and doctors are in short supply and because the refugees receive no education on how to minimize health hazards. At a clinic in one of the camps in Kanchanaburi province, 888 of the residents were found to have diarrhea, 270 were suffering from colds and flu, 80 had caught malaria, and a further 54 were very serious cases of dysentery. Neither the government nor the army, whose chief General Chettha Thanajaro is a bosom friend of his counterpart in the Burmese junta, are oblivious of the problems. Only a few days ago, Suthat Ngernmuan, the chairman of the House committee for justice and human rights, led officials and the press to inspect the Karen refugee camps in Kanchanaburi province. But rather than "justice' or "human rights" resulting from the visit, the army reiterated their allegations that the refugees were in good condition and had little to complain about. Meanwhile, rumors started spreading throughout the border area that KNU members had deliberately destroyed their homes in Burma to come across the border where living conditions were better. But why should the Karen have demolished their homes themselves? The junta's troops would have soon done it for them. Thailand pretends the refugee problem is something beyond its control. Instead of ending its close relationship with Burma. It simply complains about Burma's refugees. Thailand is a country known for its tolerance. Why is it what it tolerates human rights abuses on its doorstep, but does not tolerate the victims of Burma's military regime? *************************************** THE NATION: FESTIVAL OF FUN March 15, 1997 After 50 years of struggling for independence, the Mon people continue to live under the iron grip of Burma's military rulers. What has kept them intact during these hard years of struggle, however, is their compassion, faith in Buddhism, rich culture and most importantly, their famous capacity to enjoy themselves. Throughout history, the Mon have won independence many times only to be conquered and subjugated once again by neighbouring armies. Although they were eventually left without a state, they have remained united and continue to live together. Today the Mon State Party (NMSP) and its military wing, the Mon National Liberation Army. The NMSP headquarters is deep in the jungle in Burma's Tavoy District, just over the border from Kanchanaburi province. Mon National Day, held last month, revealed how this minority group in Burma can enjoy festivities despite their ordeal. The day is traditionally held on the first day of the third waning moon according to the Mon calender. This year it fell on Feb 23. They believe the date is auspicious because it was when the Hongsawadi kingdom was established in 573. However, most of the celebrations were held on the night before the official day. Throngs of revellers strolled down to a field in a Mon village, where a range of activities awaited them stalls selling various kinds of local products, a boxing ring, an open-air theater and a merry go round. But, for the adults, most interesting attraction was the gambling which is only permitted during this special occasion. This particular year, the atmosphere of the celebrations was more formal. Hundreds of grim faced soldiers men and women marched to a ceremonial ground where civilian Mon, dressed in traditional costume, lined up to receive them. Some placed garlands over the heads of the Mon military in apreciation of their strength. The highlight of the event was when Shwe Kyin, leader of the NMSP, took to the stage to deliver his speech. "We must be aware of the progress of this competitive world. In the meantime, we should maintain our integrity," Shwe Kyin told his people. Ironically, Shwe Kyin's emphasised the importance of technological development while his small army obviously lacking state of the art weaponry stood by. More over, several of Shwe Kyin's female soldiers fainted under the sweltering sun before the finished his address. The official ceremony ended with a march by the loyal soldiers, with their strong determination to fight for independence manifested on their faces. However, seeing no light at the end of the tunnel, many have come to terms with their current status and gloomy future. As Buddhist devotees and lovers of peace, the Mon people are praying that they will not have to take arms to fight against the State Law and Order Restoration Council (Slorc) as the Karen ethnic minority have been forced to do recently. According to Mon leaders, a ceasefire pact, between the Mon people and Slorc was signed a year ago on the condition that the Mon will be given more business opportunities including a concession to run public buses in their locality if they stop obstructing the construction of a gas pipeline. However, the leaders insisted that while they have strictly adhered to the agreement , they have yet to receive any concession rights. "Slorc members don't keep their word. They have taken everything. This isn't what we've agreed," a Mon leader said. ******************************** SHAREHOLDER RESOLUTIONS: UPDATE ON BURMA March 13, 1997 From: simon_billenness@cybercom.net (Simon Billenness) UPDATE ON BURMA SHAREHOLDER RESOLUTIONS This is the time of year when corporations mail out shareholder voting ballots and invitations to their annual meeting. This year, shareholder resolutions on Burma will likely be on the corporate ballot at the annual meeting of: Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) Caterpillar Unocal I have enclosed the full text of every shareholder resolutions at the end of this message. The only exception is the resolution filed at Unocal by the Oil Chemical and Atomic Workers Union (OCAW). I do not have the text of that resolution on disk. Unocal has requested the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for leave to omit all of its resolutions. I do not yet know what the SEC will decide. Texaco successfully obtained leave from the SEC to exclude its resolution. The resolutions at PepsiCo were withdrawm when PepsiCo pulled out of Burma. Simon Billenness Franklin Research & Development 711 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, MA 02111 (617) 423 6655 x225 (617) 482 6179 fax simon_billenness@cybercom.net ------------------------------------------------ Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) WHEREAS: Levi Strauss & Co. bases its decision on whether to do business in certain countries based on criteria that include whether: "Brand image would be adversely affected by a country's perception or image among our customers and/or consumers" "Human rights environment would prevent us from conducting business activities in a manner that is consistent with the Global Sourcing Guidelines and other Company policies" "Political, economic and social environment would threaten the Company's reputation and/or commercial interests" Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Burmese democracy movement leader Aung San Suu Kyi has specifically called for economic sanctions on Burma; In its editorial of 5/30/96, the Wall Street Journal noted that, as the Burmese military junta arrested more than 250 elected representatives, ARCO President Roger Truitt was photographed in government newspapers with the chief of secret police and a member of the junta who had the previous week threatened to "annihiliate" Aung San Suu Kyi; ARCO has paid several million dollars to an oil company owned by the Burmese military junta for seismic data and exploration rights to two off-shore blocks; It is reasonable to assume that, if ARCO discovers gas, ARCO will connect its gas field to the gas pipeline leading to Thailand that is currently being built by Total and Unocal; Human rights organizations based on the Thai/Burmese border have documented not only numerous human rights abuses committed by Burmese troops deployed to secure the Total/Unocal pipeline area but also the use of forced labor by the Burmese military on infrastructure related to the pipeline project; On September 3, 1996, the democratically elected government-in-exile of Burma filed a lawsuit in US federal court seeking a court order halting Unocal's role in the Yadana pipeline and seeking compensatory and punitive damages. On October 3, 1996, a similar additional lawsuit was filed on behalf of victims of human rights abuses in Burma; Ten cities -- Ann Arbor (MI), Berkeley (CA), Boulder (CO), Carrboro (NC), Chapel Hill (NC), Madison (WI), Oakland (CA), San Francisco (CA), Santa Monica (CA), Takoma Park (MD) -- and Alameda County (CA) and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts have enacted laws that effectively prohibit municipal or state purchases of products from companies, including ARCO, that do business in Burma. Similar Burma-related legislation is pending in other cities including New York City and in the states of California and Connecticut; In September 1996, President Clinton signed into law a measure that included a conditional ban on new US investment in Burma despite lobbying by ARCO and other companies; ARCO also does business in other countries with controversial human rights records: China and Algeria. BE IT RESOLVED: the shareholders request the Board to review and develop guidelines for country selection and report these guidelines to shareholders and employees by September 1997. In its review, the Board shall develop guidelines on maintaining investments in or withdrawing from countries where: · there is a pattern of ongoing and systematic violation of human rights · a government is illegitimate · there is a call by human rights advocates, pro-democracy organizations or legitimately elected representatives for economic sanctions against their country ------------------------------------------ Caterpillar WHEREAS: Levi Strauss & Co. bases its decision on whether to do business in certain countries based on criteria that include whether: "Brand image would be adversely affected by a country's perception or image among our customers and/or consumers" "Human rights environment would prevent us from conducting business activities in a manner that is consistent with the Global Sourcing Guidelines and other Company policies" "Political, economic and social environment would threaten the Company's reputation and/or commercial interests" Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Burmese democracy movement leader Aung San Suu Kyi has specifically called for economic sanctions on Burma; Hoppenstedt Affilations reported that Caterpillar has a wholly owned subsidiary in Burma. The Bangkok Nation reported that Caterpillar employs about 200 Burmese; The New Light of Myanmar reported that a delegation led by a Burmese military junta minister visited Caterpillar plants in the US in April, 1996; The Delhi Financial Express reported on October 5, 1996, that Myanmar Tractors & Trading Co Ltd, a dealer for Caterpillar in Burma, secured orders worth $40 million from the Burmese Defense Ministry; In its June 1996 "Foreign Economic Trends" report, the US Embassy in Burma stated that: "In mid-1996, representatives of a U.S.-based manufacturer indicated that their firm had recently sold US $30 million of dual-use heavy construction equipment to the Defense Ministry's Directorate of Procurement." (The term "dual-use" indicates equipment that can be used for either civilian or military purposes.); Eight cities -- Ann Arbor (MI), Berkeley (CA), Carrboro (NC), Madison (WI), Oakland (CA), San Francisco (CA), Santa Monica (CA), Takoma Park (MD) -- and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts have enacted laws that effectively prohibit municipal or state purchases of products from companies, including Caterpillar, that do business in Burma. Similar Burma-related legislation is pending in other cities including New York City; In September 1996, President Clinton signed into law a measure that included a conditional ban on new US investment in Burma despite lobbying by Caterpillar and other companies; Caterpillar also does business in other countries with controversial human rights records: China and Indonesia. BE IT RESOLVED: the shareholders request the Board to review and develop guidelines for country selection and report these guidelines to shareholders and employees by September 1997. In its review, the Board shall develop guidelines on maintaining investments in or withdrawing from countries where: · there is a pattern of ongoing and systematic violation of human rights · a government is illegitimate · there is a call by human rights advocates, pro-democracy organizations or legitimately elected representatives for economic sanctions against their country ---------------- UNOCAL WHEREAS: Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Burmese democracy movement leader Aung San Suu Kyi has specifically called for economic sanctions on Burma; Unocal, in partnership with Total of France, the Petroleum Authority of Thailand and the Burmese state-owned oil company, has a direct equity stake in the largest investment project in Burma: the building of a pipeline from the offshore Yadana gas-field to Thailand; Human rights organizations based on the Thai/Burmese border have documented not only numerous human rights abuses committed by Burmese troops deployed to secure the pipeline area but also the use of forced labor by the Burmese military on infrastructure related to the pipeline project; Unocal has allowed no independent human rights investigation of the numerous documented allegations of abuse of human rights in the pipeline area; Eight cities -- Ann Arbor (MI), Berkeley (CA), Carrboro (NC), Madison (WI), Oakland (CA), San Francisco (CA), Santa Monica (CA), Takoma Park (MD) -- and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts have enacted laws that effectively prohibit municipal or state purchases of products from companies, including Unocal, that do business in Burma. Similar Burma-related legislation is pending in other cities including New York City; Media such as Businessweek, CNN Headline News, Economist, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle and USA Today have published numerous articles about the consumer and local government boycott of Unocal; In September 1996, President Clinton signed into law a measure that included a conditional ban on new US investment in Burma despite lobbying by Unocal and other companies; On September 3, 1996, the democratically elected government-in-exile of Burma filed a lawsuit in US federal court seeking a court order halting Unocal's role in the Yadana pipeline and seeking compensatory and punitive damages. On October 3, 1996, a similar additional lawsuit was filed on behalf of victims of human rights abuses in Burma; BE IT RESOLVED: The shareholders request that the Board of Directors appoint a committee of outside directors to issue a report on the actual and potential economic and public relations cost to Unocal of opposition to its business in Burma. The report, omitting confidential information and prepared at reasonable cost, should include the actual and potential benefits of continuing to do business in Burma as well as the costs to Unocal of: 1. the growing boycott of Unocal products by consumers, including cities and states 2. the increasing lobbying by Unocal of federal and local legislatures and governments 3. litigation filed against Unocal SUPPORTING STATEMENT We are deeply concerned by the growing boycott of Unocal products by consumers, institutions and local governments. We are particularly disturbed by the fact that, in the past year, this boycott has spread to a growing number of municipal and state governments. We are concerned that the damage to Unocal's sales and image of the Burma boycott and the cost of lobbying against federal sanctions and local selective purchasing legislation may outweigh the revenues and benefits that Unocal derives from its business in Burma. ---------------------------------------------------------------- UNOCAL WHEREAS: We believe both social and financial criteria should be factors in fixing compensation packages for top corporate officers. Shareholders and our Board of Directors need to be vigilant in challenging executive pay packages that create reward regardless of corporate performance and total return to shareholders. For instance, should top officers pay for a this year be reduced because of the costs that our company has incurred because of its decision to do business in Burma? Unocal has a direct equity stake in the largest investment project in Burma: the building of a pipeline from the offshore Yadana gas-field to Thailand; Human rights organizations based on the Thai/Burmese border have documented not only numerous human rights abuses committed by Burmese troops deployed to secure the pipeline area but also the use of forced labor by the Burmese military on infrastructure related to the pipeline project; Eight cities -- Ann Arbor (MI), Berkeley (CA), Carrboro (NC), Madison (WI),Oakland (CA), San Francisco (CA), Santa Monica (CA), Takoma Park (MD) -- and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts have enacted laws that effectively prohibit municipal or state purchases of products from companies, including Unocal, that do business in Burma. Similar Burma-related legislation is pending in other cities including New York City; Media such as Businessweek, CNN Headline News, Economist, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle and USA Today have published numerous articles about the consumer and local government boycott of Unocal; In September 1996, President Clinton signed into law a measure that included a conditional ban on new US investment in Burma despite lobbying by Unocal and other companies; On September 3, 1996, the democratically elected government-in-exile of Burma filed a lawsuit in US federal court seeking a court order halting Unocal's role in the Yadana pipeline and seeking compensatory and punitive damages. On October 3, 1996, a similar additional lawsuit was filed on behalf of victims of human rights abuses in Burma; We believe this question deserves the careful scrutiny of our Board of Directors and Compensation Committee. Companies including Bristol-Myers, Eastman Kodak, IBM, Procter and Gamble, and Westinghouse have reported to shareholders on how they integrate these factors into their compensation packages. BE IT RESOLVED: Shareholders request that a committee of outside directors of the Board institute an Executive Compensation Review, and prepare a report available to shareholders four months after our annual shareholder meeting with the results of the Review and recommended changes in practice. The review shall cover pay, benefits, perks, stock options and special arrangements in the compensation packages for all the company's top officers. SUPPORTING STATEMENT We recommend that the committee study and report on the following in its review: 1. Ways to link executive compensation more closely to financial performance with proposed criteria and formulae. 2. Ways to link compensation to social corporate performance (e.g. incentives given for meeting or surpassing certain social and financial performance standards). 3. A description of social and environmental criteria to be taken into account. *************************************** FBC: KEEPING PRESSURE ON THE OIL COMPANIES March 12, 1997 (rec’d) Email: freeburma@irn.org FREE BURMA: NO PETRO-DOLLARS FOR SLORC a project of the International Rivers Network 1847 Berkeley Way Berkeley, CA 94703 Tel: 510-848-1155 Fax: 510-848-1008 Email: freeburma@irn.org Web site: http://www.irn.org HOW TO KEEP THE PRESSURE ON THE OIL COMPANIES At the Free Burma Coalition (FBC) American University meeting, many of us discussed where to concentrate FBC's grassroots efforts. We all agreed that pressuring the Clinton Administration to invoke the sanctions law was the off utmost importance and timeliness. If the sanctions law is enacted, all other corporate campaigns will either cease to exist or be given greater strength. Many FBC meeting participates, in addition to working on the sanctions, also want to pressure the oil company investment in Burma. Due to that interest, the Free Burma: No Petro-dollars for SLORC campaign, would like to remind all of you of the existing available resources to facilitate your work on the oil company issue, and provide some examples of the various ways that students, grassroots activists, and others can participate in the campaign. If there are any questions regarding this campaign, please email freeburma@irn.org. Thank you. All the best, Pamela Wellner, Coordinator, Free Burma: No Petro-dollars for SLORC ------------------------------------------------------------- Campaign materials and how to get it: Leaflets: Unocal, Total N. America, Texaco, (ARCO--available soon) Hard copies of all leaflets can be ordered from the above listed address, at this time costs for hard copies only include postage. Please provide mailing address, and quantity of leaflets. The leaflets can also be downloaded from the web site: www.irn.org, please look at the bottom of the home page and click on the Free Burma site. Graphics are available. Activists pack: This information pack is designed to help you work locally on the oil company campaign. The activist pack contains the following information: - Campaign information - Recent articles on Burma and oil company projects. - Background information on Burma's natural environment - "Report the Facts", Karen National Union report on the impacts of the pipeline. - Brochures on Unocal, Texaco, and Total & boycott stickers (more may be ordered). - How to: write a press release, organize a demonstration, pick protest sites, get media attention - Sample letters to the CEOs of the oil companies & lists of addresses - Sample letter to gas station owner, & from station owner to head of company - Petitions to oil corporations for use with public and gas station patrons - Sample letters to the editor and notable quotes - Names and addresses of oil company boards of directors - Background information on Unocal's poor environmental and social record - Selective Purchasing Legislation information - Web sites on Burma The pack, in partial form. can also be downloaded at the following web site: click on "Boycott: Oil Companies. ************************************