Aung San Suu Kyi Blasts Japan's Inv

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Subject: Aung San Suu Kyi Blasts Japan's Investors

Burma's Activist Suu Kyi Blasts Japan's Investors
 
   BANGKOK (AP-Dow Jones)--Burmese democracy activist 
Aung San Suu Kyi Monday accused Japanese who do business in 
Burma of ignoring the plight of her countrymen working as slave 
laborers and has called for a halt to foreign investment in Burma 
until there is real progress toward democracy. 
   Some major Japanese companies have committed to investments in 
Burma. The Daiwa Research Institute, an affiliate of Daiwa Bank, is 
helping to set up a stock exchange. The Japanese government has 
granted debt relief to Burma's military government. 
   Human rights groups and international labor organizations have 
condemned the Burmese military for forcing villagers to work as slave 
laborers to build the country's infrastructure. 
   'If businessmen do not care that our workers are exposed to 
exploitation, they should at least be concerned that a dissatisfied 
labor force will eventually mean social unrest and economic 
instability,' she added. 
   Japanese businesses and government officials say investment can 
help speed up democratic change in Burma. 
   (END) AP-DOW JONES NEWS 22-04-96
   0904GMT