ABSDF STATEMENT ON US IMPOSING SANC

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subject: ABSDF STATEMENT ON US IMPOSING SANCTIONS AGAINST BURMA

         ABSDF STATEMENT ON US IMPOSING SANCTIONS AGAINST BURMA
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                                  		 Date: 22 April, 1997


The ABSDF welcomes the decision by the US Government to impose
economic sanctions on the SLORC regime for its continued human
rights violations and repression of the people of Burma. 

The decision, reported to have been made by US President Bill
Clinton within the last few days, is to be formally announced by US
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. The sanctions will involve
banning any new US investment with Burma.

The decision to impose sanctions is a major step towards forcing
SLORC to recognize the democratically elected government of Burma
led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. 

It also greatly increases pressure on SLORC to reconsider their
hard-line stance against the democratic movement and to solve the
country's political problems through political means.

The imposition of sanctions shows that the US Government considers
economic investment in Burma merely supports the SLORC regime and
its generals. The move is an important affirmation that foreign
companies such as UNOCAL, Arco, Texaco and TOTAL currently doing
business in Burma are propping up an illegal regime with an
atrocious human rights record.


For more information please contact Aung Naing Oo or Zaw Min
at 300 0631 or 01654 4984

All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF)