Voices call for EU's GSP and US's s

[nin@xxxxxx]

Subject: Voices call for EU's GSP and US's sanction

	EU's GSP
	========
	
	Excerpt.
	> Under EC rules, trade privileges given to developing countries can
	> be withdrawn if a recipient is found to be in contravention of
	> terms prohibiting the practice of forced labour. The clear and
	> systematic use of forced labour, including child labour, by the
	> military regime in Burma has been confirmed by many international
	> bodies, including the UN Commission on Human Rights, the
	> International Labour Organisation and, since December, by the
	> European Commission. 
	......

***	> matter of urgency. Now is the time to go beyond strong statements
	> and take effective and firm action. Withdrawal of trade privileges
	> is a vital first step only, the very simplest  provision for which
	> there can be no acceptable delay.  We urge the EU to send this
	> clear message to Burma's ruling generals on the need for urgent
	> reform without further procrastination.
	> 
	> Signatories:
	> 
	> Glenys Kinnock MEP 
	> Denis MacShane MP 
	> Bill Jordan (ICFTU) 
	> Yvette Mahon (Burma Action Group UK)

	
	US's sanction
	=============

	Excerpt.
	In Burma, It's Past Time For the U.S. to Impose Sanctions

                         By Sumana Chatterjee

                     ...that large-scale repression is growing. It said:
	"the Government's severe repression of human rights increased during 1996,
	even as increased economic activity fostered the appearance of greater normalcy. 
	Out of sight of most visitors, citizens continued to live subject at any time 
	and without appeal to the arbitrary and sometimes brutal dictates of the military
	dictatorship . . . There continue to be credible reports . . . . . .

	They must feel they have skated past the law that President Clinton signed in 
	September saying that the United States would cut off new investment 
	if "the Government of Burma has physically harmed, rearrested for political acts, 
	or exiled [pro-democracy leader] Aung San Suu Kyi or has committed large-scale 
	repression or violence against the democratic opposition." In the wake of the 
	State Department report, several congressmen have urged the White House to impose 
	those sanctions and Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has scheduled hearings
	for April.

  ***   That's too late. What I and a few others have seen, and what the State Department 
	reported, makes me certain that sanctions must be imposed on Burma now. 

	Sumana Chatterjee