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1995 FREE BURMA ACT: BILL SUMMARY




I was given the following summary of legislation introduced to the US
Congress this week by Senator McConnell, and am reprinting it here for
those who have not yet heard the details. I have not seen the original
bill, so if there are any errors or discrepancies, please post
corrections: 


                 1995 FREE BURMA ACT: BILL SUMMARY
                 ---------------------------------           

PRESIDENT MUST CERTIFY THE FOLLOWING TO CONGRESS:

- That the Government of Burma has released all political prisoners;

- That the Government of Burma has fully implemented the results of the 
1990 elections, transferring power to civilian authorities and protecting 
basic political and human rights;

- That the Government of Burma has implemented an effective narcotics 
eradication and control regime, consistent with the US Foreign Assistance 
Act.

FAILING SUCH CERTIFICATION, THE FOLLOWING UNILATERAL SANCTIONS WILL BE 
IMPOSED:

- Ban on US trade with and investment in Burma;

- Ban on the import of goods from Burma to the US;

- Suspension of GSP and MFN status for Burma;

- Suspension of US assistance to any country selling arms to Burma;

- Withholding US contributions to UN organizations funding 
non-humanitarian programs in Burma;

- Instructing the US Executive Director at multilateral institutions to
vote against loans to Burma; 

- Prohibiting US tourist travel to Burma;

- Urging the President to downgrade the level of Burmese diplomatic 
representation in the US;

- Urging the President to establish a senior official UN delegation to 
review Burma's compliance with UN resolutions calling for the restoration 
of democracy and basic human rights;

- Urging the President to seek an international arms embargo on Burma.


ADDITIONAL SANCTIONS:

- If the President certifies that US trading partners fail to enter into
agreements to support sanctions against Burma, the US shall revoke (their)
GSP and MFN trading privileges; 

- If the President certifies that China continues to transfer arms to 
Burma, the Executive Director of international financial institutions 
shall vote against loans or credits to China;

- If the President certifies that Thailand is not cooperating in the 
support and relief of Burmese exiles and refugees, the US shall suspend 
aid under the Foreign Assistance Act.


REPORTS:

THE PRESIDENT SHALL REPORT TO CONGRESS ON:

- Burma's chemical and biological weapons capability;

- The Thai government's treatment of Burmese refugees, exiled students,
and democracy advocates; 

- The source and status of arms transfers to Burma;

- A strategy to support the democracy movement inside Burma.