BURMA LOSES EU PRIVILEGES (r)

[agirici@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

Hi Kris

It's me again! As I'm a bit out of touch with things European, do you know
when the Council of Ministers will meet to ratify the GSP decision? 

Thanks a lot
Brian

At 14:04 19/12/1996, you wrote:
>From: KWIA <kwia@xxxxxx>
>
>At 18:19 96-12-18, you wrote:
>>From: "ABSDF (WB)" <brian@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>>
>>Burma loses EU privileges
>>Brussels, Dec. 18: The Europeans Commission called on 
>>Wednesday for Burma to be stripped of trade privileges 
>>currently accorded by the European Union after finding 
>>evidence of the widespread use of forced labor there.
>>The EU executive arm unanimously approved a recommendation
>>that Burma's membership of the generalized System of Preferences,
>>which accords developing countries preferential tariffs on their exports
>>to the EU, be suspended indefinitely. The decision has to be ratified 
>>by EU foreign ministers. This is seen as a formality in light to the 
>>Burmese regime's refusal to improve its record on human and 
>>democratic rights.(AFP)  
>>
>
>Dear Burmanetreaders,
>
>I'm very happy to read AFP considers the approval of the Commission's
>decision as a formality. Hopefully they are right. I'm in doubt however
>whether we can be that sure the council of ministers will ratify the
>suspension of GSP. Especially the role of France is unclear. The council of
>ministers takes decisions on the base of consensus. So France can use its
>veto.  
>
>Three weeks ago I read an article about French plans to block the
>suspension. I forgot in what newspaper it was published. If anybody finds
>articles like that please post it on the net. Also other comments, opinions,
>articles and information about the likelihood of an easy ratification should
>be sent to Burmanet.
>
>We have to see then whether there is a need for (short running) (letter)
>campaign towards the French government. If the decision is no formality at
>all, maybe each national European group also has to provide their ministers
>(again) with all the needed elements to undermine the French minister's
>arguments. In that case it will be much more difficult for France to block
>the decision in the council. Also press attention for the issue is needed.
>
>Regards,
>
>Kris Deckers
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>- KWIA Grupo de Apoyo para los Pueblos Indigenas
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