New York Mayor Signs Burma Sanction (r)

[thaung@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Subject: Re: New York Mayor Signs Burma Sanctions Law

At 03:14 PM 5/30/97, you wrote:
>From: Simon Billenness <sbillenness@xxxxxxxx>
>Subject: New York Mayor Signs Burma Sanctions Law
>
>                       New York Burma Support Group
>
>            Friday, May 30, 1997	for immediate release
>  
>        	NEW YORK CITY MAYOR SIGNS BURMA SANCTIONS
>
>  --CITES "A SITUATION BEYOND WHAT THE HUMAN CONSCIENCE CAN TOLERATE"--
>
>      SANCTIONS LAWS SPREADING--CONNECTICUT BILL ALSO NOW PENDING
>
>Saying "horrible and tragic" conditions in Burma were "a situation beyond
>what the human conscience can tolerate," New York City Hall Mayor Rudolph
>Giuliani today signed legislation barring companies doing business in
>Burma from doing business with the City of New York. The measure, Bill
>#647A, was passed by a unanimous 50 - 0 vote of the New York City Council
>on May 14, and with the Mayor's signature, will take effect in thirty
>days.
>
>The Mayor challenged the business community, which claimed the measure
>will damage New York City's economy, to support open economies and free
>governments around the world, saying these will ultimately benefit the
>people of New York most. "We want to see major changes in Burma," the
>Mayor said during the Friday afternoon hearing in New York City Hall's
>Blue Room, "Then we can have open exchange."
>
>New York City has the fourth largest governmental budget in the US, after
>the federal government and the states of California and New York. 
>
>The Mayor signed the act after hearing City Council Speaker Peter Vallone,
>Council Members Mary Pinkett, Thomas Duane, and John Sabini and several
>other speakers describe the Burmese military dictatorship's responsibility
>for severe human rights abuses and ecological devastation in Burma, and
>its links to heroin warlords who supply about 60% of the new wave of
>heroin now plaguing New York City. 
>
>According to City Council Member Mary Pinkett of Brooklyn, the Mayor's
>decision to sign the bill sent an important message that freedom belongs
>to everyone. "We hope this will also push the US government to speak
>louder and more clearly and to do more to press for democracy in Burma,"
>she said.
>
>May Pyong Maung, a Burmese exile representative of the Union of Burmese
>Women, who also testified before the Mayor, said, "This will hurt the
>dictatorship and encourage democratic forces in Burma who are under severe
>pressure right now." Reports from Rangoon say 316 pro-democracy activists
>have been arrested in Burma since mid-May by agents of the State Law and
>Order Restoration Council (SLORC) army junta.
>
>The state of Massachusetts and a dozen other US municipalities have
>already passed selective purchasing laws. A similar measure is now pending
>in Connecticut's State Legislature. US federal sanctions now bar any new
>investment by American companies in Burma. The local laws may have more
>immediate impact, however, by preventing companies doing any kind of
>business in Burma from receiving local contracts. Apple Computer, Motorola
>and Kodak are among companies that have pulled out of Burma in response to
>selective purchasing laws enacted in the pat year.
>
>UNOCAL, the California-based petrochemical giant partner to the SLORC
>junta in a billion dollar gas pipeline project associated with serious
>human rights abuses, has mounted a major lobbying campaign against Burma
>sanctions. They have been represented in New York by the firm of Davidoff
>and Malito.
>
>Unocal and Texaco are today targets of consumer boycotts because of their
>business in Burma. Other companies have already pulled out of Burma or
>announced they will not do business there, including Pepsi-Cola, Heineken,
>Columbia Sportswear, Macy's (Federated Dept. Stores), Amoco, Levi-Strauss,
>Reebok, Eddie Bauer and Liz Claiborne.
>
>For further information, please contact :
>New York City:	NYC Mayor's Office   212-788-2958
>		Burma UN Office 212-338-0048 
>		New York City Council 212-788-6948
>		New York Burma Support Group  Thomas Lansner 212-787-3756
>Connecticut:  	State Assembly Representative Jessie Stratton 860-240-0440
>===========================================================================
>
>
BRAVO!!!!
Thanks
Uthaung>