------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------ "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies" ---------------------------------------------------------- The BurmaNet News: July 3, 1997 Issue #764 Noted in Passing It's really quite shocking that the military will put the country's future in jeopardy because it's afraid of some criticism. -- U Tin Oo, vice-chairman of the National League for Democracy. (see South China Morning Post: Learning Ban 'Harms Nation's Future') HEADLINES: ========== BCN: EU STATEMENT ON MYANMAR MEMBERSHIP HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH ASIA: LETTER TO PM CHAVALIT SCMP: LEARNING BAN 'HARMS NATION'S FUTURE' KATHMANDU POST: JAPAN, INTERPOL HELP BURMA ON BLAST THE NATION: GREEN SNAGS TO BUYING BURMA POWER FTUB: CLARIFICATION ON THE ARREST OF FTUB EXECUTIVE THE NATION: CULTURAL TIES SOUGHT WITH BURMA ASIA TIMES: BUSINESS SAYS NO TO SANCTIONS TT: BORDER POLICE KEEP TIGHT WATCH ON MANAO ISLET NLM: RUNNING AWAY WITHOUT BEING BANISHED AND COMING ANNOUCEMENT: EC TO TAKE MASSACHUSETTS LAW TO WTO! ----------------------------------------------------------------- BCN: EU STATEMENT ON MYANMAR MEMBERSHIP June 26, 1997 From: bcn@xs4all.nl (Burma Centrum Nederland) PROVISIONAL VERSION of European Union statement about Myanmar's membership of ASEAN (26 -06-1997). BURMA/ MYANMAR - CONCLUSIONS The Council discussed the implications for the EU of the accession in particular of Burma/Myanmar to ASEAN. The Council underlined that the deteriorating human rights situation in Burma/Myanmar is a matter of serious concern to the EU. On several occasions the EU has reiterated its concern at developments in Burma/Myanmar. Most recently, on 30 May, the EU issued a declaration on the anniversary of the 1990 elections in which the SLORC-regime is urged to release the people detained on that occasion and to engage in a serious dialogue with the pro-democracy groups. Furthermore, the Council called on the SLORC to accept a visit to Burma/Myanmar by the UN special rapporteur at an early date. The Council stressed the importance they attach to the strengthening and deepening of EU-ASEAN relations in accordance with the conclusions of the EU-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Singapore in February 1997. The Council confirmed the EU's commitment to the EU-ASEAN dialogue including on human rights and democratic principles. It expects membership of ASEAN to contribute to the promotion of thes values in Burma. It agreed that the opportunity of the EU-ASEAN dialogue should be used to discuss the situation in Burma/Maynmar. Bearing in mind that the current circumstances, reflected in the prolongation of the EU Common Position for another period of six months, preclude starting negotiations on the possible accession of Burma/Myanmar to the EC-ASEAN Cooperation Agreement, the Council considers that the presence of Burma/Myanmar at the forthcoming ARF/PMC Ministerial Meetings does not prejudge in any way its participation as observer at the upcoming EU-ASEAN Joint Cooperation Committee in November 1997 and other meetings in the institutional EU-ASEAN framework. The Council reaffirmed that membership of Burma/Myanmar of ASEAN does not automatically imply membership of ASEM. On the subject of possible additional measures against Burma/Myanmar, the Council agreed to look into this matter again in September in the light of the ARF/PMC Ministerial Meetings and the future developments in Burma/Myanmar. ----------------------------- BCN is an independent foundation. It aims to inform the Dutch society on Burma. It initiates and co-ordinates activities that promote democratization and sustainable development. The center aims to contribute to a constructive dialogue between de various groups in Burma. BCN Paulus Potterstraat 20 1071 DA AMSTERDAM THE NETHERLANDS (31)20-6716952 (tel) (31)20-6713513 (fax) bcn@xs4all.nl http://FreeBurma.org ********************************************* HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH ASIA: LETTER TO PM CHAVALIT June 30, 1997 From: hrwatchuk@gn.apc.org The following is an open letter released by Human Rights Watch/Asia to the Prime Minister of the Royal Thai Government concerning the repatriation of Mon refugees on June 6, 1997. June 30, 1997 Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh Office of the Prime Minister Government House Nakhorn Pathom Road Bangkok 10300 Thailand Dear Prime Minister Chavalit, I write on behalf of Human Rights Watch/Asia to express our grave concern about the repatriation on June 6, 1997 of some 300 to 400 Mon refugees . The Royal Thai government sent them back to Burma from an area approximately nineteen kilometers south of Thap Sakae directly to a local army commander of the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC). The group had sought refuge in Thailand as a result of a fear of persecution by SLORC. You may be aware that the Mon Army Mergui District, a splinter group from the New Mon State Party and established in December 1996, was fighting with the Burmese Army in Tenasserim Division in the area from which the refugees fled. The Mon Army Mergui District surrendered to the Burmese Army on May 25, 1997. While we at present do not have the details of the surrender agreement, previous experience has shown that these Mon refugees may still have good reason to fear persecution from the Burmese army. Such agreements are often not of a lasting nature and in any event, as has been evident in the Karenni and Shan states, human rights abuses still continue even when a ceasefire is in place. Human Rights Watch/Asia has, over the past eight years, documented a disturbing range of serious human rights violations which SLORC has perpetrated against its own nationals including forced labor, forced relocations, torture and other serious forms of ill treatment. Such abuses have been particularly severe in relation to Burma's ethnic minorities. The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Burma recently confirmed this in his report on the situation of human rights in Burma. He states that, Detailed reports and photographs seen by the Special Rapporteur lead him to conclude that extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, the practice of torture, portering and forced labor continue to occur in Myanmar, particularly in the context of development programmes and of counter-insurgency operations in minority-dominated regions. Return of refugees to a territory where they face persecution constitutes refoulement and a breach of customary international law. It is therefore imperative that any refugees who return to the territory from which they fled do so on a voluntary basis. The principle of voluntariness has been described as the cornerstone of international protection with respect to the return of refugees. In addition to the work of the Executive Committee of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on the question of voluntary repatriation and in particular its Conclusion 18 (XXXI) , UNHCR has also published a handbook on voluntary repatriation to ensure that the standards which should be applied during such a process are met. Human Rights Watch/Asia is concerned that a number of those standards were violated on June 6, 1997. It is unclear in this case what steps, if any, were taken to effectively establish that the return of the Mon was voluntary. We understand that an announcement was made before the refugees were loaded onto trucks stating that anyone who did not want to return should step aside. In our view, this is not the same as establishing that the return was voluntary. Indeed we have information that at least thirty families expressed to one of the nongovernmental organizations present that they did not want to return to Burma and it is not apparent what steps were taken to follow up the concerns of these families. It also unclear what alternatives to repatriation were offered to the refugees. It therefore appears that this repatriation is not one that can be said to have been conducted in "safety and dignity" as stipulated by UNHCR in their voluntary repatriation handbook. Also of deep concern is the absence of any monitoring mechanism inside Burma to follow up on the condition of the returned refugees. We are aware that there was a representative of UNHCR present during the repatriation but UNHCR has stated that it had no formal role in the repatriation and has acknowledged that a number of the standards which should apply in any voluntary repatriation were not met. We ask that you clarify the circumstances surrounding this repatriation and in particular the procedure established by the Royal Thai government to ensure that the refugees returned voluntarily. We look forward to hearing from you. Yours sincerely, Sidney Jones Executive Director Human Rights Watch/Asia ***************************************** SCMP: LEARNING BAN 'HARMS NATION'S FUTURE' July 2, 1997 by William Barnes in Bangkok The junta's refusal to reopen universities and schools for fear of political unrest is doing incalculable damage to the country, says a leader of the opposition National League for Democracy. The universities have been on "vacation" since December after hundreds of students took to the streets in anti-authority protests. "It's really quite shocking that the military will put the country's future in jeopardy because it's afraid of some criticism," said U Tin Oo, vice-chairman of the National League for Democracy. Last year's student protests were the first mass demonstrations since a popular uprising in 1988 that forced shadowy dictator General Ne Win to withdraw into the background. The universities were subsequently closed for three years - encouraging many students to flee. Although the State Law and Order Restoration Council is trying to encourage economic growth, it has virtually zero tolerance for dissent. "How on earth is poor Burma ever going to prosper in a very competitive world if even the schools are closed," said Mr U Tin Oo. A junta spokesman merely repeated the official line that colleges would be reopened when appropriate. Zaw Min, a member of a student exile group in Bangkok, said the educational establishments were likely to remain closed for another two months at least. "There are some very sensitive anniversaries coming up." On July 7, 1962, the military first seized power in modern Burma, and on July 8, blew up Rangoon's students' union building. Next month also sees the anniversary of the start of the 1988 riots. ******************************************** KATHMANDU POST: JAPAN, INTERPOL HELP BURMA ON BLAST PROBE July 2, 1997 AFP Rangoon-- Japanese police and Interpol are cooperating with Burma in investigating an April parcel bomb attack at thet home of a top Rangoon general, a senior military intelligence official said. Colonel Kyaw Thein told a news briefing Monday that a delegation from Japan was "recently" in Burma to help probe the blast which killed the elder daughter of army chief of staff, Lieutent General Tin Oo. Kyaw Thein said the delegation "exchanged information" with Burmese military intelligence, but he did not provide any further details. Burma's ruling junta has blamed exiled Burmese opposition groups for carrying out the parcel-bomb attack, saying the package had been posted from Japan. On Friday the chief of military intelligence, Lieutenant-General Khin Nyunt, accused the prime minister of exiled National Coaliation Government of the Union of Burma(NCGUB), Sein Win, of masterminding the attack . On Tuesday, Kyaw Thein repeated Khin Nyunt's accusation that the United States was actively funding anti-junta "terriost" groups. Opposition groups, including the NCGUB, receives funding of more than two million dollars allocated annually by Washington to promote democracy and human rights in Burma. ******************************************** THE NATION: GREEN SNAGS TO BUYING BURMA POWER July 2, 1997 Watcharapong Thongrung ENVIRONMENTAL concerns in Burma - which is scheduled to sign a memorandum of understanding with Thailand on power supply on Friday - may lead the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand to consider buying electricity from China as an alternative, according to Governor Preecha Chungwatana. Preecha said Egat does not have high expectations for buying electricity from Burma because power and power transmission projects in that country are likely. to face environmental problems. According to the MoU, Thailand has tentatively agreed to buy 1,500 megawatts of electricity from Burma. Citing the pipeline project to import gas from, Burma as an example of problems faced by the Petroleum Authority of Thailand, he said it is difficult for power pro-jests in ]Burma to materialise as transmission lines for this electricity have to be built through Burma's rich forests before they can reach the Thai border. "If we buy electricity from Burma, the problems that will be faced by Egat will be as severe as those currently faced by PTT which is running into strong opposition from environmentalists. If transmission lines for Burmese electricity are to be built, they have to be located in the northern region where forests are even richer," he said. Unless environmental problems are resolved, Egat will not push to buy electricity form Burma and will consider other alternatives such as buying from China which has already sent a list of potential projects to Egat for consideration. The MoU to be signed with Burma resulted from a recent trip by PM's Office Minister Sompong Amornwiwat to Rangoon. Preecha said the MoU will be modelled on the document signed with Laos. After signing the MoU, Burma win send a list of projects which will be developed to Egat. Egat will then negotiate with project developers. Both sides will sign a head of agreement and power purchase agreement, respectively, if terms and conditions are accepted. Under the MoU, Thailand will buy electricity from 2007 and 2008. There is no specific requirement on sources of energy which will be used in Burmese power projects but most are expected to be hydropower schemes like those in Laos. Projects are likely to be located on the Kok and Salween Rivers. MDX and Italthai are among the Thai firms which have conducted feasibility studies. Preecha said the MoU is a point for energy cooperation and it can be scrapped if there is no progress in developing projects. (TN) ****************************************************** FTUB: CLARIFICATION ON THE ARREST OF FTUB EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND SLORC's PRESS July 2, 1997 From: Aung San Myint FEDREATION OF TRADE UNIONS - BURMA Responsibilities & Rights ----------------------------------- CLARIFICATION ON THE ARREST OF FTUB EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND SLORC's PRESS 2nd July 1997 1. The Federation of Trade Unions - Burma was formed on 14th October 1991 by trade union members who were fired from their jobs and hounded by the SLORC for trade union activities. 2. The Federation of Trade Unions - Burma was formed entirely by trade union representatives of their own will and has it's own constitution. 3. The Federation of Trade Unions - Burma fully supports the National League for Democracy as the political party that won the general election in 1990 and acknowledges the National Coalition of Government of the Union of Burma as the Government of the people. 4. The Federation of Trade Unions - Burma believes in Social Democracy and through introduction of independent trade unions and self-development programs, has always been striving for equality amongst the working people, regardless of race or religion. 5. The Federation of Trade Unions - Burma has never been influenced by any political party and will never allow the Federation to become a tool of any political party or group. 6. The Federation of Trade Union - Burma firmly believes that political dialogue is the only way for solving the differences and achieving a democratic system in our country. 7. The Federation of Trade Unions - Burma has never held arms and never resort to terrorism. 8. The claims by the SLORC in their 27th June press conference does not answer the call by the Federation of Trade Unions - Burma issued on the 23th of June to release our Executive Committee Members. Instead, The SLORC has side stepped it's violation of ILO Convention 87 (Freedom of Association) and tried to discredit the National League of Democracy NLD. Lt. Gen. Khin Nyunt has tried to slander the FTUB, U MYO AUNG THANT and U KHIN KYAW but the veracity of the reports sent out by them is seen in the EU GSP withdrawl, ILO Special Committee investigation on Forced Labor and the US Sanctions. 9. The SLORC, especially Lt. General Khin Nyunt is taking advantage of the arrest of U MYO AUNG THANT and U KHIN KYAW as a mendacious outlet for their chaotic internal issues, the biggest crux being the unexplained bombings. 10. The Federation of Trade Unions - Burma demands the SLORC to release U MYO AUNG THANT and U KHIN KYAW, their wives and children and respect the rights of the workers of Burma to form independence trade unions. ********************************************** THE NATION: CULTURAL TIES SOUGHT WITH BURMA July 2, 1997 Yindee Lertcharoenchok Thailand and Burma should strengthen cultural relations and support grassroots engagements to promote a better understanding between the countries and help reduce border tension, conflict and suffering, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said yesterday. Surapong Jayanama, who visited Burma from June 21 to 26, said that during his trip he told U Aye Lwin, director general of the Burmese Foreign Ministry's consular, treaties and legal affairs department, that his country would soon become a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), so its relationship with Thailand should be broadened to cover cultural cooperation. He told the senior official that Thai-Burmese relations have always been confined to, or seen in the context of, border trade, border conflicts and disputes and problems with ethnic minorities and narcotics. Surapong said he wanted to see both countries broaden their engagements to cover other activities, particularly those of a cultural nature. He said he suggested that local people from both sides of the border hold regular cultural exchange programmes and joint activities., such as Songkran festivities, to establish and promote strong relationships. "If we don't do this [support local grassroots contact], Thai-Burmese relations will still be seen in the context of suffering and misunderstanding. We should use cultural cooperation as a vehicle to promote better understanding and reduce conflict and tension," Surapong said. He said Aye Lwin had assured him during a meeting on June 26 that Burma would be able to and sign an agreement on cultural cooperation with Thailand later this year - as earlier agreed by top leaders from the two countries. The Burmese official was quoted as saying that the country's Foreign Ministry had studied and approved a draft agreement and had already forwarded it to the Ministry of Culture for study and final approval. Last year, the Thai Foreign Ministry proposed that the two countries sign an agreement to promote and strengthen cultural relations and exchange officials, academics and local people. Last August, it was submitted to Burma for study and was similar to one signed on August 8,1996, with Vietnam. Surapong said Aye Lwin had reassured him that the Burmese junta remained committed to the joint communique, which was released after the official visit to Burma on May 26 to 27 by Prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh. In the joint communique, both sides expressed hope that the agreement would be signed 'by the end of the year' to mark the 50th anniversary of Thai-Burmese diplomatic relations in August next year. Burma had initially showed reluctance to enter into the cultural agreement and asked for more time to study the initiative and the draft document. It has so far only signed cultural agreements with China and Cambodia while Thailand has such agreements with 18 Asian and European countries. Surapong said he had proposed four activities to Aye Lwin that the two countries could participate in to commemorate the 50th anniversary - the exchange of cultural troupes; a broadcast of felicitous speeches by both prime ministers; showing promotional documentaries about the two countries and an academic seminar on Thai-Burmese relations. Last year, Thailand held similar activities when it celebrated the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Vietnam. This year, it has organised a series of similar programmes to mark its 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties with India.(TN) ****************************************************** ASIA TIMES: BUSINESS SAYS NO TO SANCTIONS July 2, 1997 A group of business advisors to United States President Bill Clinton has recommended restricting the use of unilateral US economic sanctions and eliminating extraterritorial sanctions and secondary boycotts. The report from the President's Export Council, released at a council subcommittee meeting on June 30, reflects unhappiness among many US exporters with the burst of sanctions passed by Congress over the past two years aimed at Cuba, Iran, Libya, Burma, Sudan and other countries. According to the report, unilateral sanctions cost US business not only directly by prohibiting specific transactions, but also indirectly by encouraging foreign competitors and by tainting the reliability of US suppliers. A recent econometric analysis estimated the value of lost exports in 1995 at between US$15 billion and US$19 billion, affecting from 200,000 to 250,000 export-related jobs. Besides eliminating extraterritorial sanctions, the report also recommends a number of other restraints on unilateral sanctions, including a list of conditions for imposing them in the first place and a target date for ending them if they have not achieved their objective. ************************************************* THAILAND TIMES: BORDER POLICE KEEP TIGHT WATCH ON MANAO ISLET July 2, 1997 By Assawin Pinitwong TAK: Provincial border patrol police are keeping a close watch on an islet in the Moei River to prevent Burmese troops stationed immediately opposite the contested territory from seizing control, a border security source said yesterday . The source, who asked to remain anonymous, said police were put on the alert after local villagers reported sighting Burmese soldiers gathering across the border from Manao islet in Mae Sot district. A border patrol police officer said that although the islet became connected to Burmese soil after a spate of heavy flooding it still belongs to Thailand. Thais have legal documents giving them the right to farm there, he said. A local villager said the police must take urgent action to prevent the affair from blowing up into a major conflict. The scenario bears striking similarities to the dispute over Khok Chang Phuak, over which the two nations have yet to reach a successful compromise. The villager said that if the Burmese junta takes military action the livelihood of nearly 50 Thais who farm corn on the islet will be severely affected. He called on Thailand to send a letter of protest to Burma before the incident goes any further. ************************************************** NLM: RUNNING AWAY WITHOUT BEING BANISHED AND COMING BACK WITHOUT BEING INVITED June 24, 1997 [abridged] Pauk Sa Political stunt actress Bogadaw (wife of British citizen) and the puppet troupe schemed to organize a rebellious gathering to mark the seventh anniversary election victory on 27 and 28 May 1997 but it did not materialize due to a mild handling of the matter by the Nawata Government. The show which was designed to instigate unrest issued the so-called resolution and the so- called attitude. In the declaration a resolution was passed that the puppet troupe would rejoin the National Convention and conclude the Convention honourably, and clarifications were made that it was not that the puppet troupe had abandoned the National Convention but its delegates were expelled from the Convention while they were waiting for an answer from the Convention Commission for their proposal. At a meeting with correspondents on 12 July, [1995] Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said the National Convention was only in name. She also told foreign correspondents on 14 July that she did not like the current convening of the National Convention and that there were many things to be changed and they had to be changed. In a statement on its attitude towards the National Convention issued on 22 November 1995, the NLD criticised National Convention delegate participation, procedures and discussions. It was also stated that national solidarity could not be achieved from the National Convention, nor could genuine democratic system emerge; moreover the constitution the people have faith in would not materialize if the National Convention went on that way. [The NLD] also sent another letter to the Chairman of the National Convention Convening Commission saying that all the NLD delegates would not attend the National Convention under the pretext that the address of the National Convention Convening Commission Chairman at the plenary session on 28 November did not include the dialogue between the State Law and Order Restoration Council and the NLD as proposed in the letter critical of the National Convention. The National Convention Convening Commission then appraised the moves of the NLD that its demands for cancelling the basic principles laid down by the National Convention as they were not in conformity with the opinion of their party; thereafter organizing with persons they like so as to be able to lay down principles as the party likes; and laying down new methods and procedures to be followed in the Convention and carry on as they like were obviously made with ill premeditation to mar the on-going work of the National Convention and success achieved after systematic discussions and coordinations. In a news release issued on 30 November 1995, it was stated that five Convention delegates of NLD, included in the political parties' delegates group, and 81 delegates of NLD, included in the Hluttaw representatives-elect group, were revoked as being National Convention delegates as provided in the paragraphs 48 and 49 of the National Convention Procedures for failing to attend the plenary session regularly and to ask the Panel of Chairmen in advance for leave if they cannot attend as provided in paragraph 5, sub-paras (d) and (e) of the National Convention Procedures respectively. Or, does Bogadaw show up one-upmanship looking down on Myanmar people thinking that they have never attended Oxford University, that all 45 million people do not know and see as much as she does leave alone gaining three dozen degrees like her and that they will believe whatever she says even if she tells lies? Is that a stunt? Though Myanmar people did not study at Oxford University like the political stunt actress Bogadaw and though they did not gain three dozens of concocted degrees and titles conferred by the international neo-colonialist bloc, I dare say that our patriotism, nationalism, the conviction to safeguard the race, promote the national pride and prestige and the determination never to let their life and cultural heritage eclipsed under the boots of the aliens are stronger and more brilliant than the Bogadaw's. As we possess the national political traditions and convictions for our own nation and race, and as they are homogeneous with the life of Myanmar people, they know and differentiate exactly who loves and safeguards the race, who is the dollar-earner politician, who is traitor to the nation and who will flee to her husband and sons in England by jet and will never stay here if the nation and race face trouble. Then, why are they giving groundless reasons? By the absolute order of the political stunt actress Bogadaw and in accord with the instruction of the neo-colonialists, the delegates of the puppet troupe were ordered to quit the National Convention. The withdrawal was not carried out by the decision of executive committee or central committee. Bogadaw even railed at some delegates who pointed out that it was a false step to withdraw from the National Convention. The so-called chairman U Aung Shwe who led the delegates attending the National Convention was put to shame because of the tyrannical nature of so-called democracy leader Bogadaw who was criticizing from outside like a shrew. Let us leave this matter alone. The major scheme of the political stunt actress Bogadaw and her puppet troupe in boycotting the National Convention was to disrupt the National Convention thinking that if they did not attend, the National Convention would end up in dirt and smoke. Contrary to their expectation, the National Convention continued systematically and peacefully. Bogadaw continued to create her stunt by disparaging the National Convention and the expatriate group leader Sein Win and others also continued to attack the National Convention. The neo-colonialist bloc also launched the campaign against it in the international community. Why and for what aims do you want to rejoin the National Convention which the political stunt star Bogadaw, the puppet troupe, her relatives and her masters have slandered against, criticized and opposed to the extent of reducing its worth to nought? Do you, the political stunt star Bogadaw and the puppet troupe, regard the National Convention as a licenceless bootleg liquor shop which you can go in and come out without discipline? (Forgive me if I may be rude!) If you say that the National Convention will come to a prestigious conclusion only when the delegates of the puppet troupe led by the political stunt star Bogadaw participate in it, doesn't it amount to a meaning like "claiming to be superior despite one's inferior status"? I would like to ask, "Does the political stunt star Bogadaw actually have any worthy political esteem if you say that the National Convention will come to a prestigious conclusion only when the delegates of the puppet troupe led by the political stunt star Bogadaw participate in it?" Do you dare answer these questions? Does the puppet troupe have any worthy, respectable political programme, political policy and directive ideology? Let's say nothing of the election results or winning only 31 percent of the number of persons eligible to vote without making much of a passing fancy. Let us talk about the objective conditions in 1997. I challenge you with these questions. No matter what excuses the political stunt star Bogadaw is citing, there are talks of doubt and disbelief in the puppet troupe's second thought to send its delegates to the National Convention. We do hear them. It is said in the decision reached at the puppet troupe's ceremony celebrating the anniversary of its victory in the election to the effect that the National League for Democracy put on record its pleasure with the US President's signing of the 1997 act on the foreign rights and utilization of the budget regarding the export finance, submitted to the US Congress with a view to establishing democracy and human rights in Myanmar. It is like this. The puppet troupe led by the political stunt star Bogadaw has expressed its enthusiastic welcome to the blatant, shameless encroachment of the US Government, incompatible with its status, upon the sovereignty of Myanmar, by allowing the use of not less than US $ 2.5 million for funding the instigation of disturbances in the country and supporting KNU insurgents led by Bo Mya, called by the colonialist group as remnants of the ethnic rebels at the border, gangs trafficking in opium and smuggling timber and gemstones and internal traitorous elements who are the CIA spies. The delegates of the puppet troupe turned their back on the National Convention at the whistle blowing of the political stunt star Bogadaw, not because they were ordered out by anyone, didn't they? This time, the Bogadaw has played a political stunt of her own will in deciding to rejoin the National Convention. Yes, it is running away without being banished and coming back without being invited. ********************************************* ANNOUCEMENT: EC TO TAKE MASSACHUSETTS LAW TO WTO! July 2, 1997 From: Simon Billenness NEW ENGLAND BURMA ROUNDTABLE: JULY ACTION ALERT EUROPEAN COMMISSION TO TAKE MASSACHUSETTS BURMA LAW TO THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION! "Q: In the United States there have been some cities and the state of Massachusetts that have chosen not to do business with companies that deal with Burma. Is this an effective means of supporting democratization in Burma?" "A: Very much so. We would like to see more of this. It's consumer power. It's good to know that the people of different countries are really concerned and involved in the movement to help Burma. I think in some ways it's better to have the people of the world on your side than the governments of the world, even if governments can be more effective in certain directions." - Aung San Suu Kyi, Nobel peace Prize Laureate and leader of the Burmese democracy movement in an interview with the Progressive, March 1997 In this alert: 1. European Commission Moves to Destroy the Massachusetts Burma Law at the World Trade Organization. 2. What you can do if you live in Massachusetts 3. What you can do if you live outside Massachusetts 1. European Commission Moves to Destroy the Massachusetts Burma Law! On June 20, the European Commission (EC) requested formal consultations with the United States about the Massachusetts Burma law under the World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement procedures. These consultations are the final step before the dispute goes to a formal WTO dispute settlement tribunal. The EC claims that the Massachusetts Burma law violates an obscure provision of a WTO Agreement that bars the use of "political" criteria in granting federal and state procurement contracts. Modeled after previous South Africa-related legislation, the Massachusetts Burma selective purchasing law effectively bars Massachusetts state agencies from buying goods or services from companies that do business in Burma. Citing the Massachusetts Burma law, several corporations have withdrawn from Burma. The corporations include Apple Computer, Eastman Kodak, Hewlett-Packard, Obayishi and Philips Electronics. Under pressure from European corporations affected by the law, the European Commission is now trying to use the WTO dispute procedures to dictate how Massachusetts should spend its own taxpayers money! 2. WHAT YOU CAN DO IF YOU LIVE IN MASSACHUSETTS It is vital that Governor Weld, Attorney General Scott Harshbarger and our elected legislators hear from us on this issue. In response to our letters, Attorney General Harshbarger has told Reuters of his firm support for the Burma law. Please write, call or fax. Let our elected officials know that: 1. They should stand firm against pressure from the European Commission to water down the Massachusetts Burma selective purchasing law. 2. You strongly believe that elected Massachusetts legislators and officials should decide how to spend Massachusetts taxpayers money, not unaccountable European Commission bureaucrats. 3. The European Parliament voted unanimously to request that the European Commission *not* to take the Massachusetts Burma law to the World Trade Organization. Why should Massachusetts legislators amend their law to suit European Commission bureaucrats when elected European Parliament legislators unanimously support the Massachusetts Burma law? 4. Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the Burmese democracy movement, supports the Massachusetts Burma law and has stated such laws are an effective means of helping to restore democracy in Burma. If you have already written ask a friend, coworker or family to write too! Governor William Weld State House, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston, MA 02133 (617) 727-3600 (617) 727-5291 fax Attorney General Scott Harshbarger 1 Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108 (617) 727-2200 (617) 727-5778 fax Senate President Thomas Birmingham State House, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston, MA 02133 (617) 722-1500 (617) 248-3840 fax House Speaker Thomas Finneran State House, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston, MA 02133 (617) 722-2500 (617) 722-2008 fax Call your state representative and state senator at: (617) 722-2000 Write to them at: State House, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston, MA 02133 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. WHAT YOU CAN DO IF LIVE OUTSIDE MASSACHUSETTS 1. You strongly support the Massachusetts Burma law as it currently stands. 2. European Commission bureaucrats should not be allowed to tell elected American state legislators how to spend US taxpayers money. 3. On June 12, the European Parliament unanimously passed a resolution that urged the European Commission not to take action against the Massachusetts Burma law at the World Trade Organization. Why should Massachusetts legislators amend their Burma law to suit European Commission bureaucrats when elected European Parliament legislators unanimously support the Massachusetts Burma law? 4. Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the Burmese democracy movement, supports the Massachusetts Burma law and has stated such laws are an effective means of helping to restore democracy in Burma. 5. Mention that you support the enactment of similar Burma selective purchasing laws in your home state. 6. If you have already written ask a friend, coworker or family member to write too! To Whom to Write: President William Clinton 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20500 * send a copy of your letter to President Clinton to: U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20500 Please also write to your US Senators and Representative. Ask them specifically to write U. S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky to urge her to strongly defend the Massachusetts Burma law from the European Commission You can write your US Senator at: United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 You can write your US Representative at: United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 You can call the Capitol Switchboard toll-free at (800) 972-3524. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLEASE DISTRIBUTE THIS ACTION ALERT TO OTHERS Thank you for your help. Your efforts will protect the Massachusetts Burma law. Please mail or fax me a copy of your letters so that we can gauge the response to this action alert. Simon Billenness * for the New England Burma Roundtable * Franklin Research & Development, 711 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, MA 02111 (617) 292 8026 x225 (617) 482 6179 fax sbillenness@frdc.com ***********************************************