Seattle Law News Release

[dohrs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

S E A T T L E   B U R M A   R O U N D T A B L E
2319 N. 45th St., #115, Seattle, WA  98103  USA
Tel (206) 784-5742, Fax (206) 784-8150

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL TO CONSIDER BURMA CONTRACTING RESTRICTIONS

Seattle--September 11, 1997--On September 16 at 9:30 am, the Business,
Economic & Community Development Committee of the Seattle City Council,
chaired by Council President Jan Drago, will vote on Drago's proposal to
restrict city contracts with companies doing business in the military
dictatorship of Burma (Myanmar). 

"This proposal gives the city maximum flexibility, yet sends a clear
message to the Burmese junta, and the companies that prop it up, that
Seattle is offended by Burmese heroin exports, suppression of democracy,
and gross violations of human rights," says Drago. 

President Clinton announced a ban on new US investment in Burma in April,
citing US national security concerns.  Secretary of State Albright said in
July "We are increasingly concerned that Burma's drug traffickers, with
official encouragement, are laundering their profits through Burmese banks
and companies -- some of which are joint ventures with foreign
businesses." Burma supplies 60% of the heroin on US streets, according to
the State Department. 

"We don't want city money going to known dope dealers and money
launderers," says Larry Dohrs of the Seattle Burma Roundtable.  "We
support the strong US policy on Burma, where a democratically elected
government is being held hostage by a brutal junta."

In military sponsored elections, the National League for Democracy party
(NLD) of Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi won 82% of the seats.  The
results were ignored by the junta.  Suu Kyi and the NLD have called
repeatedly for a campaign of economic pressure on the military regime, as
an effective way to force dialogue leading to negotiations with the
democratic majority. 

Twelve cities (including New York, where it passed 50-0, and San
Francisco), one county and the State of Massachusetts have already passed
laws similar to the Seattle proposal.  The US and Canada have imposed
sanctions, the European Union has introduced visa restrictions and revoked
GSP benefits, while Japan and others have frozen aid to Burma due to
military intransigence and brutality. 

The campaign appears to be working.  Dozens of foreign companies have left
Burma, including Eddie Bauer, Pacific Trail, Disney and Motorola, while
many more have stayed away.  The Burmese economy is described as "near
collapse," and with the military alienated from the population, dialogue
may be the only way forward. 

"The Seattle law would be a huge boost for the Burmese democracy
movement," says Khin Pale Nu, a Seattle-based Burmese exile.  "At almost
no cost, Seattle can make a difference for millions of Burmese, and take a
slap at the 'heroin junta,' whose number one export, drugs, costs our city
big money." 
 
"We all know that Seattle is pro-trade," adds Drago.  "When Burma
restricts its heroin exports and respects the vote of its own people, we
anticipate a positive, friendly trade relationship." 


Contact:  	Larry Dohrs, Seattle Burma Roundtable 206-784-5742
		Jan Drago, President, Seattle City Council, 206-684-8888