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

U.S. STATEMENT ON MASSACHUSETTS BU



Subject: U.S. STATEMENT  ON MASSACHUSETTS BURMA LAW

Dear Netters,
                      The following statement is on Massacgusetts Burma
Law.E.U and Japan have requested the World Trade Organization dispute panel
over the 1996 Mass. sanctions law against Burma and it's the response of the
US government.

Peace.

Sincerely,

Julien Moe
-----

21 October 1998 

TEXT: HAYES 10/20 STATEMENT ON MASSACHUSETTS BURMA LAW 

(U.S. regrets EU, Japan requesting WTO dispute panel) (540)

Washington -- The United States "regrets and is disappointed" that the
European Union (EU) and Japan have again requested a World Trade
Organization (WTO) dispute panel over the 1996 Massachusetts sanctions
law against Burma, according to Rita Hayes, deputy U.S. trade
representative and U.S. representative to the WTO.

The Massachusetts sanctions law, also known as the Massachusetts Burma
Law, bars Massachusetts state agencies from buying goods or services
from companies doing business in Burma.

Hayes noted that both the European Parliament and the International
Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions have
called for economic sanctions against Burma and added that the
European Parliament approved a resolution September 17 criticizing the
European Commission's decision to "insist on a conflict resolution
panel within WTO over the law of the U.S. State of Massachusetts."

"It is unfortunate that the EC chose to ignore the requests of the
European Parliament and one of the largest EC workers' unions and have
continued to pursue this dispute to a panel," Hayes said.

Following is the text of the statement:

(begin text)

U.S. STATEMENT ON MASSACHUSETTS BURMA LAW
DEPUTY U.S. TRADE REPRESENTATIVE RITA HAYES
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE TO THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION IN GENEVA
OCTOBER 20, 1998

The U.S. regrets and is disappointed that the EU and Japan have again
taken the step of requesting a panel, given the strong interest of all
three parties in improving the human rights situation in Burma. The
U.S. remains concerned about the extensive abuses of human rights by
the SLORC regime in Burma, which has been internationally condemned.

Indeed, we note that on 17 September, the European Parliament approved
a resolution which called on the EC to impose economic sanctions that
would end all trade, tourism, and investment in Burma, and to exert
additional pressures on the Burmese Regime. The European Parliament
resolution also criticizes "the Commission decision to insist on a
conflict resolution panel within WTO over the law of the U.S. State of
Massachusetts."

Moreover, several days ago, the International Federation of Chemical,
Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions representing more than 20
million EC workers called on Sir Leon Brittan to "sever all trading
links with Burma until democracy is restored." The Union also noted
"global public opinion will see the EC's pursuance of the Commission's
case in the WTO as implying EU support for one of the world's most
brutal and corrupt military dictatorships."

It is unfortunate that the EC chose to ignore the requests of the
European Parliament and one of the largest EC workers' unions and have
continued to pursue this dispute to a panel.

The U.S. Government, with the assistance of and in consultation with
officials from Massachusetts, will continue its efforts to reach a
mutually satisfactory resolution with the EU and Japan without
prejudice to the rights of the U.S. under the WTO agreements.

If this dispute goes to a panel, the U.S. will defend the measure.

(end text)