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Reuters:Clinton announces U.S. sanc
- Subject: Reuters:Clinton announces U.S. sanc
- From: ktint@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 21 May 1997 09:10:00
Subject: Reuters:Clinton announces U.S. sanctions on Burma
Clinton Announces U.S. Sanctions on Burma
Tuesday May 20 7:20 PM EDT
(updates throughout)
By Laurence McQuillan
WASHINGTON, May 20 (Reuter) - President Bill Clinton, citing "severe
repression" in Burma, on Tuesday imposed economic sanctions on Rangoon,
including a ban on U.S. investment in its oil and natural gas development.
The order prohibits U.S. citizens from entering into contracts that
involve the economic development of resources in Burma.
It also prohibits Americans from purchasing ownership shares in
developing resources in the country or helping non-U.S. citizens who wish
to perform actitivities forbidden under the ban.
The United States is the fourth-largest investor in Burma, after France,
Singapore and Thailand.
In a message to Congress, Clinton said he was taking the action because
of "serious abuses" by the military government against political
opponents. He also complained about the flow of illegal drugs through
Burma.
Clinton, who announced in April that he intended to impose the sanctions,
said he has "taken these steps in response to a deepening pattern of
severe repression by the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC)
in Burma."
"I emphasize that Burma's international isolation is not an
inevitability," Clinton said, noting that "the authorities in Rangoon
retain the ability to secure improvements in relations with the United
States as well as with the international community."
The United States and many other Western countries have criticized Burma
for human rights abuses and for failing to recognize the democratically
elected government of the opposition National League for Democracy, which
was co-founded by Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
Roger Beach, the chairman of the oil and gas company Unocal Corp . -- the
largest U.S. investor in Burma -- has said he was disappointed with the
decision to impose sanctions because it would hurt economic development.
Two other U.S. oil giants, Texaco Inc and Atlantic Richfield Co, also
have investments in Burma.
The United States has halted direct financial assistace and blocked much
international aid since the SLORC took over in 1988. It has also denied
U.S. visas to Burmese leaders.
In his statement, Clinton noted that he "and the Congress speak with one
voice on this issue." He said he looked forward "to continued close
consultation with the Congress on efforts to promote human rights and
democracy in Burma."
The army has run Burma with an iron grip since the 1960s, crushing an
uprising in 1988 and since then terrorizing or jailing democracy
activists.
"The steps I take today demonstrate my administration's resolve to
support the people of Burma, who made clear their commitment to human
rights and democracy," Clinton said.