[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index ][Thread Index ]

BARSHEFSKY ON EC CHALLENGE TO U.S.



Subject: BARSHEFSKY ON EC CHALLENGE TO U.S. STATE LAW ON BURMA

FILE ID:97062005.ECO
DATE:06/20/97
TITLE:20-06-97  TEXT: BARSHEFSKY ON EC CHALLENGE TO U.S. STATE LAW ON BURMA

TEXT:
(She is "very disappointed" dispute taken to WTO)  (310)

Washington -- U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky has
criticized the European Communities decision to challenge a
Massachusetts law penalizing procurement bids from companies doing
business in Burma.

In a June 20 press release, Barshefsky said she was "very
disappointed" that the EC took the "counterproductive" action
challenging the state law through the World Trade Organization (WTO)
dispute-settlement mechanism.

Following is the text of the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
(USTR) press release:

(begin text)

U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky today expressed regret
at the decision of the European Communities (EC) to request dispute
settlement consultations through the World Trade Organization (WTO) on
the Massachusetts law regarding procurement from companies doing
business in Burma.

Ambassador Barshefsky said she was surprised and very disappointed at
the EC decision, given the strong interest of both the EC and the
United States in improving the human rights situation in Burma. "The
decision to take this matter to the WTO will not help the situation at
all," Ambassador Barshefsky said. The European Parliament urged the EC
Commission not to request WTO consultations. This is a
counterproductive step, particularly in light of efforts that the
United States and the EC have both taken to exert pressure on the
repressive Burma regime."

USTR will continue to consult with officials from the state of
Massachusetts and the EC in an effort to reach a mutually satisfactory
resolution, without prejudice to the rights of the United States under
the WTO agreements.

The Massachusetts law applies a pricing penalty on state procurements
from companies that do business in Burma. At least one EC member state
has actively encouraged similar measures by state governments.

(end text)