BurmaNet News: February 26, 1996, #

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Date: Mon, 26 Feb 1996 04:18:50 -0800
Subject: BurmaNet News: February 26, 1996, #351


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The BurmaNet News: February 26, 1996
Issue #351

HEADLINES:
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THE NATION: US-BASED BURMESE ACTIVISTS CLAIM GAINS MADE IN 
FIGHT FOR SANCTIONS AGAINST SLORC

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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)

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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. (BP)

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