PRESS-RELEASE: European Parliament

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Subject: PRESS-RELEASE: European Parliament condemns WTO-complaint on  Burma by European Commission

European Parliament condemns WTO-complaint on Burma by European Commission

AMSTERDAM, Friday 13 June 1997 - The European Commission should not complain
to the World Trade Organization about the Burma-law from the American state
of Massachusetts. A resolution to this effect was adopted unanimously by the
European Parliament Thursday-evening. Using firm language, the European
Parliament urged the Commission "not to take action against the
Massachusetts selective purchasing law under the dispute settlement
procedure of the WTO". The Burma Law of Massachusetts, adopted on 25 June in
'96, bars companies doing business in Burma from receiving local government
contracts.
Instead of complaining at the WTO about American Burma-laws, the European
Parliament urges the European Union to take economic sanctions against
Burma's regime. "Burma's State Law and Order Restoration Council is guilty
of conducting a policy of complete disregard for human life," the Parliament
stated. The Parliament also "vigorously condemned the accession of Burma to
ASEAN." This gives the regime further international recognition "despite its
violations of human rights."
The European Commission pressures the US Government to invalidate the
Massachusetts law. Failing this, the EC threatens to make a formal complaint
to the WTO, which would rule on the dispute.The commission's efforts to
overturn American local selective purchasing laws against Burma's military
dictatorship have drawn a sharp response from European Burma supportgroups
and American lawmakers and activists. Along with Massachusetts, New York
City, twelve other American cities and one county have enacted selective
purchasing Burma-laws.
"European Commission meddling in American legislative decisions interferes
with the democratic process in the US," stated Thomas Lansner, an adjunct
professor at New York's Columbia University and member of the New York City
Burma Support Group. "We view the EC's activity as an arrogant dismissal of
American public support for Burma's democrats." Spokesperson for the Burma
Centre Netherlands, Gijs Hillenius, says that the EC threat contradicts the
withdrawal in March of trade preferences by the EU for Burma: "The European
Union should follow the American example, and take economic sanctions. Then
a complaint on the Burma-law is no longer necessary." Last year, American
papers reported that the Massachusetts' law blocked the Dutch Banks ING
Barings and ABN AMRO from buying the Bank Boston. Also Dutch electronics
manufacturer Philips ceased export to Burma because of the Burma Law.
For more information:
 USA:
Thomas Lansner: 1- 212-7873756
Prime Minister Sein Win, NCGUB:1-202-393-7342
Mass. State Representative Byron Rushing: 1-617-722-2737

Europe
Burma Centre Netherlands, 31-20-6716952
Burma Action Group UK, 44-17173597679
Members of European Parliament who introduced the resolution
mrs H. Maij-Weggen 31-40-2416310 (Dutch)
mrs G. Kinnock 32-2-284-5402 (starting Monday 16 June)