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AMENDING THE RULES OF THE HOUSE TO REPEAL EXCEPTION TO REQUIREMENT THAT
PUBLIC COMMITTEE PROCEEDINGS BE OPEN TO ALL MEDIA (House of
Representatives - November 12, 1997)
H. Res. 301

BURMA
The conference agreement includes a total of $5,000,000 from
`Development Assistance' and `Economic Support Fund' to support
democracy and humanitarian programs in Burma. Such funds may be made
available notwithstanding any other provision of law and are subject to
notification. The Senate amendment specified the uses for the funds and
the funding source was limited to `Development Assistance'. The House
bill contained no provision on this matter.
The conferees have provided assistance to support activities designed to
restore democracy in Burma and to provide humanitarian programs for
Burmese exiles and refugees. The assistance has been provided to
underscore U.S. support for Aung San Suu Kyi and her supporters.
The conferees note strong concern about the severe restrictions imposed
on Aung San Suu Kyi. Although not under formal arrest, she is unable to
move about freely and visitors must be approved by the State Law and
Order Restoration Council. As a result, family, friends, associates,
journalists and advocates for restoring her to office have been denied
access. In addition, she has drawn public attention to the continuation
of a campaign of violence, intimidation and terror being waged against
her party members with the goal of destroying the democratic opposition.

The conferees expect that not less than $3,000,000 of the funds made
available for Burma be provided to support democracy activities and
$2,000,000 be provided to support humanitarian initiatives along Burma's
borders. The conferees oppose any expenditure of funds in Burma.
[Page: H10619]

BURMA LABOR REPORT
Sec. 568. Not later than one hundred twenty days after enactment of this
Act, the Secretary of Labor in consultation with the Secretary of State
shall provide to the Committees on Appropriations a report addressing
labor practices in Burma.

BURMA
Of the funds appropriated under the headings `Development Assistance'
and `Economic Support Fund', not less than $5,000,000 shall be made
available to support activities in Burma, along the Burma-Thailand
border, and for activities of Burmese student groups and other
organizations located outside Burma: Provided, That funds made available
for Burma related activities under this heading may be made available
notwithstanding any other provision of law: Provided further, That
provision of such funds shall be made available subject to the regular
notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations.
end.....

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For more info. on Burma at U.S. Congress, there are  ---
Burma and U.S.Congress (http://www.clark.net/pub/burmaus/)
Washington Burma Report (http://ww.clark.net/pub/wbr)