iccr members express solidarity

[maung@xxxxxxxxxxx]

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			   	 I   C    C   R
		---------------------------------------------
		Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility
		475 Riverside Dr., Rm 566. New York, NY 10115 
			ph(212)870-2295 (2l2) 870-2023


  	    ICCR MEMBERS SUPPORT THE STRUGGLE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
				AND DEMOCRACY IN BURMA   
					(June 7, 1996)

Burma, ruled by one of the world's most notorious military regimes, is 
a major concern of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility 
(ICCR) members because of its egregious violations of the basic human 
rights of its people. During the past four years,  ICCR members have 
focused on U.S. owned companies doing business in Burma, challenging 
them to withdraw from Burma at this time.  ICCR members are deeply 
concerned about the recent military crackdown on Burmese who planned 
to attend the First Party Co ngress of the National League
for Democracy.  Over 250 people were arrested including some elected 
representatives and members of National League for Democracy, led by 
Aung San Suu Kyi, a Nobel peace laureate.  The latest blow to the 
pro-democracy movement in Burma is a ban on Aung San Suu Kyi's weekend 
meetings with crowds outside her home.

ICCR members support a campaign for corporate withdrawal from Burma.  
The "constructive engagement" policies of U.S. corporations in Burma 
are not working. ICCR members believe that US companies doing business 
in Burma simply strengthen the illegitimate military regime, the State 
Law and Order Restoration Council, and indirectly help SLORC gain the 
political legitimacy it desperately seeks. In 1995, ICCR members filed 
shareholder resolutions with ARCO, PEPSICO, TEXACO and UNOCAL calling 
on these companies to withdraw frnm Burma. On April 22, 1996, PepsiCo 
took an important step by announcing plans to divest Irom Burma. Pepsi 
sold its direct investment in PepsiCo Bottling Company, Myanmar, but 
is still under contract to provide soft drink liquid to the Burmese 
owned franchise. The growing list of U.S. companies leaving Burma 
includes LEVI STRAUSS, EDDIE BAUER, LIZ CLAIBORNE, AMOCO and COLUMBIA 
SPORTSWEAR.

ICCR members support the students struggle for democracy and human 
rights in Burma.  ICCR members support student demonstrations in New 
York City and Washington DC in their protest against recent military 
crackdown and their call for the restoration of human rights and 
democracy in Burma.

ICCR is a North American association of nearly 275 Protestant, Roman 
Catholic and Jewish institutional investors, including denominations, 
religious communities, pension funds, dioceses and health care 
corporations. ICCR's members utilize religious investments and other 
resources to change unjust or harmful corporate policies and 
practices, challenging the powerful role corporations play in the use 
or misuse of the Earth's human and physical resources. ICCR's members 
hold corporations accountable using the power of persuasion backed by 
economic pressure from consumers and investors.

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'Inspired by faith, committed to action'
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