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Japanese Says Tention High In U.S.
- Subject: Japanese Says Tention High In U.S.
- From: waterly@xxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 21 Mar 1997 23:17:00
Subject: Japanese Says Tention High In U.S. On Burma
Copyright 1997 The Daily Yomiuri
The Daily Yomiuri
March 19, 1997, Wednesday
SECTION: Pg. 7
LENGTH: 584 words
HEADLINE: U.S. has selective obsession with rights
BYLINE: Takashi Sakamoto Yomiuri Shimbun Correspondent ; Yomiuri
BODY:
WASHINGTON--A growing number of Americans are boycotting companies operating
in Myanmar to protest human rights abuses by Myanmar's military regime, the
State Law and Order Restoration Council.
As a result, some major U.S. companies have been forced to leave Myanmar,
paving the way for Japanese and European companies to do business there. It may
be difficult for Japanese and Europeans to comprehend the U.S. ideal of putting
human rights above business interests.
A Massachusetts law prohibiting the state government from purchasing goods or
services from companies that do business in Myanmar went into effect last
June. The law targets 39 U.S. companies and 155 foreign ones, including All
Nippon Airways, Sony Corp., Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi and Toyota Motor Corp.
"We can no longer finance loans to state-related businesses. This is almost
like the economic sanctions that were imposed on South Africa," said Yoji Anzai,
an executive at the U.S. subsidiary of Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi.
The Japanese government has expressed concern to the Office of the U.S. Trade
Representative and State Department, saying the state law may violate a World
Trade Organization regulation banning discriminatory measures against companies
concerning government procurements. The European Union has also protested to the
U.S. government.
However, Massachusetts is standing firm. In addition, 11 other cities and
states, including San Francisco, have adopted similar laws. California,
Connecticut and New York City are likely to join them soon.
Among U.S. companies that have left Myanmar are Levi Strauss and Co.,
Macy's, PepsiCo, Apple Computer and Eastman Kodak. Apple Computer sells a
considerable number of computers to educational
institutions in Massachusetts and had no choice but to cut business ties with
Myanmar.
In Pepsi's case, it was more the boycott of its products at Harvard
University and 100 other campuses that made it pull out.
These companies seem to prefer to uphold American ideals rather than pursue
business in a small Asian country.
At the federal level, it is up to the president whether to impose sanctions,
such as prohibiting U.S. companies from investing in the country.
The federal government has so far refrained from sanctions. Government
sources say softer policies may be of more benefit to pro-democracy leader Aung
San Suu Kyi and democratic forces in Myanmar.
However, a U.S.-based Myanmar activist predicted that Washington would act
soon in the face of growing pressure.
Why do Americans care so much about human rights abuses in faraway
countries?
Because they feel strongly that the United States must serve as the guardian
of democracy and human rights, said Mike Jendrzejczyk, Washington director of
Human Rights Watch/Asia.
Critics point to a double standard, saying the United States is not so tough
on China, another country accused of abusing human rights. The State Department
feels that relations with China are too important to judge it from a human
rights perspective. However, many people no doubt remain unconvinced.
Nonetheless, many Americans care about human rights. At the local level,
where diplomatic ties are not a concern, perceived human rights abuses tend to
prompt sanctions.
Massachusetts is considering sanctions against Indonesia to protest its
suppression of East Timor.
I cannot help but feel that there will be more cases in which Japanese will
be affected by the sentiments of the American people.
LOAD-DATE: March 19, 1997