CNN: Pepsi gives into protests, lea

[freeburma@xxxxxxx]

Subject: CNN: Pepsi gives into protests, leaves Burma (April 24, 1996)

Attn: Burma Newsreaders
Re: Pepsi on CNN
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The following is the transcript from CNN. If you have internet access on your 
computer, check on this URL (http://cnnfn.com/news/9604/24/burma_pepsi/).
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Pepsi gives into protests, leaves Burma 

Government's social policies prompt outcry 
April 24, 1996
Web posted at: 3:26 p.m. EDT

>From Correspondent Fred Katayama 

NEW YORK (CNNfn) - U.S. soft drink giant PepsiCo Inc., which had been under
pressure from American human rights groups over its operations in Burma, sold
its 40 percent stake in a local venture Wednesday. 

For months, protesters battled Pepsi, calling on consumers to boycott the
company and its products and accusing officials of socially-irresponsible
investing. Critics, including New York University student Greg Heller, charge 
the military government of Burma has tortured thousands its citizens and 
conscripted them into forced labor. 

"Burma is the South Africa of the 1990s. We ended apartheid through sanctions 
and selective purchasing legislation. It worked then. Why not now?" Heller 
said. 

A PepsiCo spokesman said the protests and economics played an equal role in
the divestiture decision. 

"We've made a decision to divest our interests in our bottling operation in 
Burma in which we have a 40 percent stake. Business considerations and 
reactions from the public played an equal part," the spokesman said. 

Some social critics remain wary because PepsiCo will continue to sell syrup 
and allow the bottler to use its trademark. But others, including David 
Schilling of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, say the 
decision amounted to a win. 

Eddie Bauer and Levi Strauss are among other American companies that
have withdrawn from Burma and four U.S. cities have passed resolutions
barring their governments from entering into contracts with companies
that do business there. New York City may soon join the ranks as its city 
council is considering a similar measure.

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