Mass. Bill Faces Final Vote

[dohrs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

MASSACHUSETTS BURMA SANCTIONS BILL FACES FINAL VOTE

CONTACT:  Simon Billenness, Franklin Research and Development
=09=09(617) 423-6655, ext. 225
=09            Massachusetts State Rep. Byron Rushing (617) 722-2220
                 Massachusetts State Senator Lois Pines (617) 722-1639
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

BOSTON--June 4, 1996-- A tough "Selective Contracting" law targeting
companies doing business in the Southeast Asian dictatorship of Burma is
scheduled to face its third and final reading in the Massachusetts Senate
tomorrow at 1pm.  The law is modeled on similar measures that targeted
South Africa's Apartheid system in the 1980's.

Bill H2833, sponsored by Rep. Byron Rushing, passed the Lower House last
July.  It was reported out of the Senate Committee on Bills in the Third
Reading.  If the bill passes unamended tomorrow, it goes directly to the
desk of Gov.  William Weld for signing.  "State purchasing restrictions
helped end apartheid in South Africa" said Rep. Rushing.  "Why not Burma?"

The Massachusetts bill would be the first state level Burma sanctions bill
in the US.  Six cities, including San Francisco and Oakland, have passed
similar measures, as has Alameda (CA) County.  Burma sanctions bills are
pending in the US House and Senate.

Inside Burma, the military junta continues to hold 150 of the 260 elected
representatives arrested in a crackdown on the party of Nobel Peace
laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.  Several are reported to have been transferred
to a prison notorious for torture.  Suu Kyi=D5' party won 1990 elections
overwhelmingly, but the military refused to honor the results.

"We are proud to stand in solidarity with the brave democrats of Burma,
and are pleased to offer our support in this time of great need" said
Mass. State Sen. Lois Pines.  Aung San Suu Kyi has repeatedly called for
restrictions on investment in Burma until there is progress toward
democracy and respect for human dignity.

US based Unocal, Texaco, ARCO and Pepsi are the prime targets of the bill,
which would also ban contracts with foreign companies active in Burma.