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"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
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The BurmaNet News: February 26, 1996
Issue #351

HEADLINES:
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THE NATION: US-BASED BURMESE ACTIVISTS CLAIM GAINS MADE IN
FIGHT FOR SANCTIONS AGAINST SLORC

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THE NATION: US-BASED BURMESE ACTIVISTS CLAIM GAINS MADE IN
FIGHT FOR SANCTIONS AGAINST SLORC

February 26, 1996

Agence France-Presse

WASHINGTON -Burma's critics in the United States are
claiming modest success in pressing for sanctions against
the military government which stands accused of widespread
human rights abuses.

Legislation for tough sanctions is again pending in Congress
and the New York City Council held hearings on Friday on
similar legislation that supporters say stands a good chance
of becoming law.

A dozen other state and local governments across the country
have already approved or are considering bills banning
contracts with firms operating in Burma - such as Texaco,
Unocal, and PepsiCo - while several other large companies
have suspended operations in the country.

New York's unique status as "an international financial
centre and home to the United Nations" would lend special
significance to anti-Burma sanctions there, said Thaung
Htun, who represents the self-declared Burmese government-
in-exile in its dealings with the UN. "It would also support
sanctions at the federal level," he said from New York.

Aided by Internet and electronic mail links with Burmese
dissidents and their supporters in North America, Asia and
Europe, US activists say their campaign has gained
substantial momentum in the last six months.

They have galvanized notably since the Slorc released Aunt
San Suu Kyi in July, after keeping her under house arrest
for six years.

"Hopes were high after Suu Kyi's release," said Zarni,
leader of an umbrella group called the Free Burma Coalition.
"Everyone thought it marked a significant step toward
democracy. But now it's more than clear that they have no
intention of changing," he said from Madison, Wisconsin,
whose state university campus has played a central role in
the campaign for sanctions against Burma.

Washington-based opposition leader Bo Hla-Tint agreed.
"Slave labour and child labour continue, and the military
ignore calls for political dialogue," he said.

Human Rights Watch recently catalogued a litany of abuses in
Burma, describing its military leaders as increasingly
resistant to political compromise despite the release of
their most compelling critic.

Republican Senator Mitch McConnell calls Suu Kyi's release
"a sadistic charade" aimed at diverting from the Junta's
stranglehold on power. (TN)

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BKK POST: US CONGRESS TO CONSIDER SANCTIONS AGAINST BURMA
JUNTA
February 26, 1996
Washington, AFP

Burma’s critics in the United States are claiming modest
success in pressing for sanctions against the military
government, accused of wide-spread human rights abuses.

Tough sanctions legislation is again pending in Congress,
and the New York City Council held hearings Friday on
similar legislation that supporters say stands a good chance
of becoming law.

A dozen other state and local governments across the country
have already approved or are considering bills banning
contracts with firms operating in Burma _ such as Texaco,
Unocal, and PepsiCo _ while several other large companies
have suspended operations in the country.

New York’s unique status as “an international financial
centre and home to the United Nations” would lend special
significance to anti-Burma sanctions there, said Thaung
Htun, who represents the self-declared Burmese government-
in-exile in its dealings with the United Nations.

“It would also support sanctions at the federal level,” he
said in a telephone interview from New York. Aided by
Internet and electronic mail links with Burmese dissidents
and their supporters in North America, Asia, and Europe, US
activists say their campaign has gained substantial momentum
in the last six months.

They have galvanised notably since the ruling State Law and
Order Restoration Council (Slorc) released opposition leader
Aung San Suu Kyi in July, after keeping her under house
arrest for six years.

“Hopes were high after Aung San Suu Kyi’s release,” said
Zarni (only one name given), leader of an umbrella group
called the Free Burma Coalition. “Everyone thought it marked
a significant step to ward democracy.”

“But now it’s more than clear that they have no intention of
changing,” he said by phone from Madison. Wisconsin, whose
state university campus has played a central role in the
campaign for sanctions against Burma.Washington-based
opposition leader Bo Hla-Tint agreed: “Slave labour and
child labour continue, and the military ignore calls for
political dialogue.”

Human Rights Watch recently catalogued a litany of abuses in
Burma, describing its military leaders as increasingly
resistant to political compromise despite the release of
their most compelling critic.Republican Senator Mitch
McConnell calls Aung San Suu Kyi’s release “a sadistic
charade” aimed at diverting attention from the junta’s
stranglehold on power. McConnell, chairman of a key foreign
appropriations committee, has reintroduced a bill that would
ban all US aid to and investment in Burma and authorise the
president to bar Burmese imports at his discretion.

It would also require the United States to oppose
multilateral assistance to Burma from agencies such as the
Asian Development Bank and International Monetary Fund.
Though a similar measure won approval in the full Senate in
September, McConnell withdrew it under pressure after
colleagues accused him of surreptitiously tacking in onto
broader legislation without debate.A modified bill _ minus
sweeping provisions that would have revoked most favoured
nation (MFN) trade status for any country that failed to
support sanctions against Burma, such as Japan and China _
is under review in both houses of Congress.

The legislation has won endorsements from several
influential senators of both parties, although supporters
concede that turning the legislation into federal law will
be a difficult fight. One hurdle they will have to overcome
through persuasion or massive congressional support is
opposition from the White House, which views unilateral
sanctions in general as futile. (BP)

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