LAST CHANCE TO LOBBY YOUR SENATORS

[simon_billenness@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

Subject: LAST CHANCE TO LOBBY YOUR SENATORS ON BURMA: 7/18/96

LAST CHANCE TO LOBBY YOUR SENATORS!

VOTE EXPECTED MONDAY, POSSIBLY TUESDAY

Thursday, July 18, 1996 

1. SENATE BURMA SANCTIONS UPDATE
2. OTHER NEWS - BURMA DEBATE ON NEWSHOUR WITH JIM LEHRER
3. ACTION ALERT: CALL YOUR SENATOR ON FRIDAY

SENATE BURMA SANCTIONS UPDATE

Word is that the Senate will debate the Foreign Operations Appropriations
Act most likely on Monday and certainly no later than Tuesday. The Act
contains an amendment (section 569) that would impose sanctions on Burma,
including a ban on US investment.

The oil companies, Texaco and Unocal, are lobbying around the clock to kill
the Burma sanctions amendment. We have to be just as relentless to defeat
them. Even though they the money to buy high-priced lobbyists, their work
can be undone by a few phone calls and faxes by home state voters.

It is likely that there will be a compromise. Naturally, the stronger the
support in the Senate for sanctions, the stronger the final language will
be. It is up to us to make sure the support for sanctions on Burma remains
strong.

OTHER NEWS

On the PBS Newshour With Jim Lehrer, Senator Mitch McConnell (R, Kentucky)
will argue for sanctions on Burma. Opposing sanctions will be Senator
Bennett Johnston (D, Louisiana). 

This will show early next week, probably the day before the Senate vote.
Check your local listings for channel and time.

BACKGROUND ON THE BILL

The mandatory sanctions provisions of the "Burma Freedom and Democracy Act"
(S.1511) have been incorporated into HR.3540: the "Foreign Operations,
Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1997" as an
amendment (section 569).

CALL YOUR SENATORS TOLL-FREE AT (800) 972-3524

1. Ask for the staff person responsible for foreign policy issues. 

2. Stress that you want your Senator to support the economic sanctions on
Burma contained in Section 569 of HR.3540: the "Foreign Operations, Export
Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1997". 

3. Try to follow up your fax or email with a phone call.

4. Ask your friends, family and co-workers to call too.

MAKE SURE YOU CALL ON FRIDAY !

CALL ON MONDAY AND ASK HOW YOUR SENATOR VOTED !!
-----------------------

Simon Billenness
Franklin Research & Development
(617) 423 6655 x 225
(617) 482 6179 fax
simon_billenness@xxxxxxxxxxxx
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H.R.3540
Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs
Appropriations Act, 1997 (Reported in the Senate) 

SECTION 569

LIMITATION ON FUNDS FOR BURMA 

     SEC. 569. Until such time as the President determines and certifies
to the Committees on Appropriations that an elected government of Burma has
been allowed to take office, the following sanctions shall be imposed on
Burma :

          (1) No national of the United States shall make any investment
in Burma;
          (2) United States assistance to Burma is prohibited;
          (3) The Secretary of the Treasury shall instruct the United States
executive director of each international financial institution to vote
against any loan
or other utilization of the funds of the respective bank to or for Burma ;
and
          (4) Except as required by Treaty obligations, any Burmese national
who formulates, implements, or benefits from policies which hinder the
transition of Burma to a democratic country shall be ineligible to receive a
visa and shall be excluded from admission to the United States.
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For your interest, HR.3540: the "Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and
Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1997" also contains the following
language on Burma:

BURMA 

     Of the funds appropriated by this Act to carry out the provisions of
chapter 8 of part I and chapter 4 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of
1961, not less than $2,500,000 shall be made available to support activities
in Burma , along the Burma -Thailand border, and for activities of Burmese
student groups and other organizations located outside Burma , for the
purposes of fostering democracy in Burma , supporting the provision of
medical supplies and other humanitarian assistance to Burmese located in
Burma or displaced Burmese along the borders, and for other purposes:
Provided, That of this amount, not less than $200,000 shall be made available
to support newspapers, publications, and other media activities promoting
democracy inside Burma:

Provided further, That funds made available under this heading may be
made available notwithstanding any other provision of law: Provided further,
That provision of such funds shall be made available subject to the regular
notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations.
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