EU SANCTIONS ON BURMA

[moe@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

DATE =       APRIL 4, 1997
TYPE=        EDITORIAL
NUMBER=      0-07220
TITLE=       EDITORIAL:  E-U SANCTIONS ON BURMA

CONTENT=THIS IS THE FIRST OF TWO EDITORIALS BEING RELEASED FOR 
BROADCAST APRIL 4, 1997.

 ANNCR:
THE VOICE OF AMERICA PRESENTS DIFFERING POINTS OF VIEW ON A WIDE 
VARIETY OF ISSUES.  NEXT, AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF
THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.

VOICE:

      THE EUROPEAN UNION, OR E-U, HAS WITHDRAWN CERTAIN TRADING 
PRIVILEGES FROM BURMA IN RESPONSE TO THE BURMESE MILITARY 
REGIME'S CONTINUED ABUSE OF HUMAN RIGHTS.  IN SEPTEMBER 1996, A 
SPECIAL COMMISSION OF THE E-U FOUND CREDIBLE EVIDENCE OF THE USE 
OF FORCED LABOR BY THE MILITARY JUNTA AND RECOMMENDED SANCTIONS 
AGAINST BURMA UNTIL THE ABUSES STOP.

      IN RECENT YEARS, THE BURMESE MILITARY REGIME HAS 
INCREASINGLY RELIED ON FORCED LABOR TO BUILD OR MAINTAIN 
IRRIGATION, TRANSPORTATION, AND TOURISM PROJECTS.  CIVILIANS, 
INCLUDING WOMEN AND CHILDREN, HAVE BEEN FORCED TO ACT AS PORTERS 
FOR THE BURMESE ARMY, CARRYING AMMUNITION AND OTHER SUPPLIES IN 
COMBAT AREAS IN VIOLATION OF THE RULES OF WAR.

      IN JUNE 1995, AN INTERNATIONAL LABOR ORGANIZATION 
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE CITED BURMA FOR ITS VIOLATION OF I-L-O 
CONVENTION 29, WHICH PROHIBITS FORCED LABOR.  IN NOVEMBER 1996, 
THE GOVERNING BOARD OF THE I-L-O TOOK FORMAL ACTION, ACCUSING THE
BURMESE REGIME OF SYSTEMATIC FORCED LABOR.

      THE U.S. WELCOMES THE E-U DECISION TO IMPOSE TRADE 
SANCTIONS AGAINST THE BURMESE MILITARY REGIME.  THIS ACTION IS 
SIMILAR TO A 1989 DECISION BY THE U.S. TO SUSPEND BURMA'S 
PRIVILEGES UNDER THE GENERALIZED SYSTEM OF PREFERENCES, KNOWN AS 
G-S-P.  THE U.S. HAS APPLIED A RANGE OF SANCTIONS AGAINST BURMA, 
INCLUDING A COMPLETE EMBARGO ON ARMS SALES AND A BAN ON U.S. 
VISAS FOR SENIOR BURMESE OFFICIALS.  SINCE 1988, THE U.S. HAS 
SUSPENDED ECONOMIC AID AND URGED OTHER NATIONS, SUCH AS JAPAN, TO

LIMIT ASSISTANCE TO BURMA.  THE U.S. DOES NOT PROMOTE U.S. 
COMMERCIAL INVESTMENT IN OR TRADE WITH BURMA.  NEITHER THE 
EXPORT-IMPORT BANK NOR THE OVERSEAS PRIVATE INVESTMENT 
CORPORATION PROVIDES LOANS OR INSURANCE FOR AMERICAN COMPANIES 
SELLING TO OR INVESTING IN BURMA. AND SINCE 1990, THE U.S. HAS 
SENT NO AMBASSADOR TO RANGOON.

      THESE MEASURES ARE A DIRECT RESPONSE TO THE MILITARY 
REGIME'S REFUSAL TO ENTER INTO A GENUINE DIALOGUE WITH THE 
POLITICAL OPPOSITION AND RESPECT THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF THE 
BURMESE PEOPLE.  THE U.S. HAS MADE IT CLEAR TO THE GENERALS IN 
RANGOON THAT BURMA CANNOT REJOIN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY NOR 
GAIN THE ASSISTANCE IT NEEDS UNTIL IT UNDERTAKES FUNDAMENTAL 
REFORM.

ANNCR:

      THAT WAS AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED
STATES GOVERNMENT.  IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE HEARD ON THIS ISSUE, 
PLEASE WRITE TO EDITORIALS, VOICE OF AMERICA, WASHINGTON, D-C, 
20547, U-S-A.  YOU MAY ALSO SEND US A FAX AT (202) 619-1043.  
YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE USED ON THE AIR.