ACTION ALERT! WRITE YOUR SENATORS!

[simon_billenness@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

GRASSROOTS ACTION VITALLY NEEDED ON FEDERAL BURMA SANCTIONS

Over the next few weeks, it is make or break for the "Burma Freedom and
Democracy Act" (S.1511) that would impose economic sanctions on Burma.

The free-standing "Burma Freedom and Democracy Act" has emerged from
committee and hit the Senate floor in a stripped-down form. The bill would
still impose tough economic sanctions on Burma in the form of a ban on US
investment in Burma.

In addition, the stripped-down version of S.1511 has been attached as an
amendment to the Foreign Aid Bill.

A copy of the language is at the end of this message.

CONTACT YOUR SENATORS THIS WEEK!

It is vital that we fax, fedex and call our US Senators constantly until the
bill comes to a vote.

We need the votes to win a floor vote.  If we can win the Senate floor vote
convincingly, the House may defer to the Senate on this issue. (At present,
the companion House bill (HR.2892)is still stuck in committee.

Unocal is lobbying hard against this bill. We don't have Unocal's money.
But, we can counter Unocal's money with grassroots support.

PLAN OF ACTION

1. FEDeX, FAX OR WRITE your Senator.

2. Ask your friends, family and co-workers to do the same.

3. Follow up your letter with daily phone calls to your Senators' offices. 

(Always get past the interns answering the phones by asking for the staff
person responsible for foreign policy issues. Keep calling daily until you
receive confirmation that the Senator will support S.1511)

Call Congress toll-free at: (800) 972-3524

SUGGESTIONS FOR YOUR LETTER

Open with the specific request that the Senator support and co-sponsor the
"Burma Freedom and Democracy Act" (S.1511). Mention that the same language
has been included as an amendment to the Foreign Aid Act.

Describe yourself and your interest in Burma.

Explain that the current crackdown by the Burmese military junta on the
democracy movement requires a response by Congress.

Mention Aung San Suu Kyi's call for companies not to invest in Burma. Stress
that corporate investment in Burma only gives the ruling junta more money
with which to buys arms from China.

Mention growing movement in the Unitied States and other countries for
economic sanctions on Burma: "The South Africa of the 1990's"

Conclude by reaffirming request that that the Senator/Rep. support and
co-sponsor the "Burma Freedom and Democracy Act."

Ask for a reply to your letter. 

Try to do all the above in one readable page.

----------------------------

If you receive a reply to your letter or phone call, please post it to the net.

Simon Billenness
Franklin Research & Development
(617) 423 6655 x 225
(617) 482 6179 fax
simon_billenness@xxxxxxxxxxxx
----------------------------

SECTION 569 OF THE FOREIGN AID BILL & CURRENT TEXT OF THE "BURMA FREEDOM AND
DEMOCRACY ACT" (S.1511).

1.    LIMITATION ON FUNDS FOR BURMA
2.        Sec. 569. Until such time as the President determines
3.   and certifies to the Committees on Appropriations that an
4.   elected government of Burma has been allowed to take office,
5.   the following sanctions shall be imposed on Burma:
6.      (1)  No national of the United States shall make
7.        any investment in Burma;
8.      (2)  United States assistance to Burma is prohib-
9.        ited;
10.     (3)  The Secretary of the Treasury shall instruct
11.        the United States executive director of each inter-
12.        national financial institution to vote against any
13.        loan or other utilization of the funds of the respective
14.        bank to or for Burma; and
15.     (4) Except as required by Treaty obligations,
16.        any Burmese national who formulates, implements,
17.        or benefits from policies which hinder the transition
18.        of Burma to a democratic country shall be ineligible
19.        to receive a visa and shall be exclude from admission
20.        to the United States.