NCGUB: JUNTA LOBBYING EFFORTS DISTO

[suriya@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma

For Immediate Release

JUNTA LOBBYING EFFORTS DISTORT DEMOCRATIC PROCESS

February 24,1998


Lobbying efforts in the United States to promote Burma's repressive military junta threaten to distort America's democratic process and could stall global efforts to improve human rights and the prospect for a return to democracy in Burma, the leader of Burma's democratic government-in-exile warned here today.

A detailed article in today's (February 24) Washington Post, "Burma's Image Problem Is a Moneymaker for U.S. Lobbyists," reveals that two Washington, DC-lobbying companies are being paid over $650,000 this year by Burmese companies with close links to the ruling generals to conduct "a campaign" on behalf of Burma's military dictatorship.

"The, lobbyists are trying to convince US lawmakers and the American public that the Burmese army junta is improving its record on human rights and narcotics trafficking," said Prime Minister Dr. Sein Win, of the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) in Washington, DC.  "Nothing could be further from the truth."

The Washington Post reports that the lobbyists' efforts are "partly to persuade the Clinton administration to lift trade sanctions against the regime." The US imposed sanctions against Burma in May 1997, citing the country's terrible human rights record. Amnesty International estimates there are about 2,000 political prisoners in Burma today.  And as the Washington Post states, Secretary of State Madeleine Albreight last year declared that the Burmese army junta "protects and profits from the drug trade."

"We are seriously concerned that this massive spending is aimed at reversing the democratic process by which the U.S. Congress voted for sanction against Burma's junta," said Prime Minister Sein Win.  "We also fear that large s spending by US corporations to allegedly 'educate' people about Burma will only seek to whitewash the dictatorship and will tarnish the reputation of institutions involved."

"The NCGUB calls on all Americans to encourage stronger sanctions and international pressure on the military junta in Burma," Dr. Sein Win added.  "The generals must be convinced they will never be accepted internationally until they respect human rights and the democratic process."