WHITE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE ON BURMA

[moe@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

  THE WHITE HOUSE

                     Office of the Press Secretary

_________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release                                    October 27,1999

                           October 27, 1999


MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE

SUBJECT:       Report to the Congress Regarding Conditions
               in Burma and U.S. Policy Toward Burma


Pursuant to the requirements set forth under the heading "Policy Toward
Burma" in section 570(d) of the FY 97 Foreign Operations Appropriations
Act, as contained in the Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act (Public
Law 104-208), a report is required every 6 months following enactment
concerning:

     (1)  progress toward democratization in Burma;

     (2)  progress on improving the quality of life of the Burmese
            people, including progress on market reforms, living standards,
            labor standards, use of forced labor in the tourist industry,
            and environmental quality; and

     (3)  progress made in developing a comprehensive, multilateral
            strategy to bring democracy to and improve human rights
            practices and the quality of life in Burma, including the
            development of a dialogue between the State Peace and
            Development Council (SPDC) and democratic opposition groups in
            Burma.

You are hereby authorized and directed to transmit the attached report
fulfilling this requirement to the appropriate committees of the Congress
and to arrange for publication of this memorandum in the Federal Register.


WILLIAM J. CLINTON 

SOURCE:WHITE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE