Update on the EU deciding on the GS

[bcn@xxxxxxxxx]

Subject: Update on the EU deciding on the GSP / Update on the EC's complaining about selective laws

As posted here earlier this week the GSP issue will be decided on in the 
General Council of ministers of Foreign Affairs of the European Union the 
coming monday in Brussels.

The Dutch Foreign Affairs ministry expects the issue to be agreed on, and 
the preferences withdrawn.
>From the cabinet of Marin, commissionair on Economic Relations at the 
European Commission BCN understood  it should not be a problem getting 
through the meeting. In the preporatory-meetings France and the UK casted 
doubts but "did not raise formal reservations". The GSP-decision seems as 
good as decided, but let's wait until the decision is final.


The Dutch minster of Foreign Affairs - HAFMO van Mierlo who is the current 
holder of the
European Presidency this week also in written form answered questions from 
the Dutch parliament dd 11/02/1997 on the GSP.
Question 1) from the parliament(translated): has the European Union now 
decided about the withdrawal of trade preferences for Burma?
Answer (translated): No. Noted herewith is that the withdrawal of the GSP is 
connected with the existing practice of forced labor and not part of the 
step-by-step increasing of the pressure on the regime.
 (ed (BCN): The minister answers no, because the issue will be decided on 
next monday)

Q2 : Did the European Commission lodge a complaint against the legislation 
in the NorthAmerican State of Massachusetts as a result of which sanctions 
can be effected against companies that have economic ties with Burma? If so, 
in what way this is in relation with the step-by-step increasing of presure 
on the military regime?

A2): The European Commission indeed lodge a complaint against the law in 
Massachusetts. The complaint from the EC is directed not against the 
purpose, but against the means, ie extraterritorial legislation, to realise 
the goal. See also the position from the EC on the Helms Burton and D'Amato law.
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