WALL STREET JOURNAL ON MASS LAW ON

[moe@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Subject: WALL STREET JOURNAL ON MASS LAW ON BURMA

Massachusetts Law On Myanmar Business Is Rejected by Judge
Wall Street Journal; New York; Nov 6, 1998; 

Edition: 
          Eastern edition
Start Page: 
          1
ISSN: 
          00999660

Abstract:
A Massachusetts law barring the state from signing contracts with companies
that do business
with Myanmar was struck down by a federal judge.

Chief U.S. District Judge Joseph L. Tauro ruled the state's "Burma law" --
using the former
name of Myanmar -- is unconstitutional because it "impermissibly infringes
on the federal
government's power to regulate foreign affairs."

Full Text:
Copyright Dow Jones & Company Inc Nov 6, 1998


BOSTON -- A Massachusetts law barring the state from signing contracts with
companies that do business
with Myanmar was struck down by a federal judge.

Chief U.S. District Judge Joseph L. Tauro ruled the state's "Burma law" --
using the former name of
Myanmar -- is unconstitutional because it "impermissibly infringes on the
federal government's power to
regulate foreign affairs."

The 1996 law, passed in response to reports of widespread human-rights
violations by the country's military
regime, prohibits the state or its agencies from buying goods or services
from companies that do business
with Myanmar. A spokesman for the state said it is evaluating its options.

Business groups praised the judge's action. The National Foreign Trade
Council, the business group that filed
the suit, said more than 30 of its 580 members have been prevented by the
law from seeking contracts with
the state.

"Had the Massachusetts law been upheld, business would have faced a number
of different and conflicting
state and local sanctions laws that disrupt U.S. domestic and foreign
commerce," the U.S. Chamber of
Commerce said.

The Judge's ruling appears likely to affect an estimated 30 other local laws
regarding trade with Myanmar.