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INVESTMENT SANCTIONS IN BURMA
- Subject: INVESTMENT SANCTIONS IN BURMA
- From: burma@xxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 23 Apr 1997 07:09:00
[The following is Statement by President Bill Clinton and Secretary of
State Madeleine K. Albright concerning Investment Sanctions Against
Burma.]
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
April 22, 1997
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT
Investment Sanctions in Burma
Today I am announcing my decision to impose a ban on
new
U.S. investment in Burma.
I have taken this step in response to a constant and
continuing pattern of severe repression by the State Law and
Order Restoration Council (SLORC) in Burma. During the past
seven months, the SLORC has arrested and detained large
numbers of students and opposition supporters, sentenced
dozens to long- term imprisonment, and prevented the
expression of political views by the democratic opposition,
including Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for
Democracy (NLD).
I have therefore imposed sanctions under the terms of
the
"Cohen-Feinstein" Amendment, a bipartisan measure that I
fully support. As contained in the Burma policy provision of
the Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 1997
(Public Law 104-208), this amendment calls for investment
sanctions if the Government of Burma has physically harmed,
rearrested for political acts, or exiled Aung San Suu Kyi,
or has committed large-scale repression of or violence
against the democratic opposition. It is my judgement that
recent actions by the regime in Rangoon constitute such
repression.
Beyond its pattern of' repressive human rights
practices, the
Burmese authorities also have committed serious abuses in
their recent military campaign against Burma's Karen
minority, forcibly conscripting civilians and compelling
thousands to flee into Thailand. The SLORC regime has
overturned the Burmese people's democratically elected
leadership. Under this brutal military regime, Burma remains
the world's leading producer of opium and heroin, and
tolerates drug trafficking and traffickers in defiance the
views of the international community. The regime has shown
little political will to stop the narcotics exports from
Burma and prevent illicit drug money from enriching those
who would flaunt International rules and profit by
destroying the lives of millions.
The United States and other members of the
international
community have firmly and repeatedly taken steps to
encourage democratization and human rights in Burma. Through
our action
today, we seek to keep faith with the people of Burma, who
made clear their support for human rights and democracy in
1990 elections which the regime chose to disregard. We join
with many others in the international community calling for
reform in Burma, and we emphasize that the U.S.-Burma
relationship will improve only as there is progress on
democratization and respect for human rights.
In particular, we once again urge the authorities in
Burma
to lift restrictions on Aung San Suu Kyi and the political
Opposition, respect the rights of free expression, assembly
and association, and undertake a dialogue on Burma's
political future that includes leaders of the NLD and the
ethic minorities.
###
(as prepared for delivery)
Statement of Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright
Concerning Investment Sanctions Against Burma
April 22, 1997
I am announcing today that President Clinton has decided to
impose a ban on new investment by Americans in Burma. This
action is being taken under provisions of law authorised
senator Dianne Feinstein and former Senator and now
Secretary of Defense William Cohen:
The decision is based on the President's judgement that the
repression by the military authorities of the democratic
opposition in Burma has deepened since enactment of the
Cohen-Feinstein provisions this past September 30, and that
a state of large-scale repression exists.
As the sponsors intended, we have used the prospect of new
investment sanctions as a tool to encourage change.
Specifically. we have urged the military authorities in
Burma to begin a serious political dialogue with the
National League for Democracy, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, and
with representatives of Burma's many ethnic minorities. In
addition to our own discussions, we have worked with friends
in Asia and Europe to make clear to Burma the potential
international benefits of a more democratic approach.
Unfortunately, the military leaders in Rangoon have chosen
not to listen. Instead, they have clamped down further on
democratic political activity. They have severely restricted
Aung San Suu Kyi's ability to address her supporters
publicly, closed political party offices, arrested peaceful
demonstrators and harassed and intimidated those espousing
democratic principles. The military has also continued a
range of other repressive policies, including violence
against civilians and forcible conscription.
Regrettably, the Burmese Government shows no signs of
moderating its insecure and we believe -- ultimately
doomed -- authoritarian policies. It remains embarked upon a
course that can lead only to greater isolation, reduced
economic vibrancy and steadily increased pressure for
political change. This is a dangerous and disappointing
direction.
The ban on now U.S. investment in Burma is the latest in a
series of sanctions the United States has imposed in
response to the utter lack of political freedom in that
country, and because its government has failed to cooperate
in the war against drugs.
In combination with the earlier actions we and other nations
have taken, and shareholder concerns around the world, we
believe this step will deal a further blow to investor
confidence in Burma. It will send a message to the military
that it will not attract the investment it clearly craves,
unless it begins a genuine dialogue with its own people.
We remain ready to review these measures and our overall
policy towards Burma should events there warrant. We
continue to express our admiration and support for Burma's
courageous democratic leaders. And we urge nations around
the world to join in the call for a peaceful transition in
Burma government that reflects -- rather than rejects -- the
will of the people.
-------
End