National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma

Burma UN Service

NEWS RELEASE

July 31, 1997

NCGB WELCOMES CANADA'S CALL FOR ECONOMIC SANCTIONS

AGAINST BURMA

The National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) has been greatly encouraged by the discussion of the situation in Burma at the latest round of the ASEAN Ministerial meeting which was followed by the Asia Regional Forum and Post Ministerial Conference in Kuala Lumpur. NCGUB would also like to express thanks to Australia, Canada, members of the European Union, New Zealand and United States of America for their critical concern of the deteriorating human rights situation in Burma, which includes mounting suppression against the National League for Democracy (NLD), lack of progress in the process of democratization and the military regime's involvement in drug trafficking and money laundering.

The NCGUB is particularly heartened by Canada's strong position and its intent to impose economic sanctions on Burma due to the illegal military regime's refusal to change the political and human rights situation. It also lauds the ASEAN leaders and their dialogue partners for jointly calling for a political dialogue among parties involved to resolve the national problem.

However, the speech given by the SLORC's Foreign Minister U Ohn Gyaw indicates that the Generals don't yet want to change their ways. It is time for the SLORC to show some flexibility. There can be no winner or looser in a political dialogue. Burma, its people and region as a whole, can only benefit from a dialogue for national reconciliation.

Even though the NCGLTB has said time and again that it is not against business, it is reiterating its call for sanctions because foreign investments at the present time can only benefit the, ruling military elite and prolong the suffering of the Burmese people.

The experience of the anti-apartheid struggle of the people of South African has already proved that economic sanctions were the most effective foreign policy tool that could force the racist and undemocratic regime to release Nelson Mandela and finally enter into a dialogue to find a political solution. The NCGUB calls upon the international community to join the initiatives taken by the United States of America and Canada to pressure the SLORC until the Generals agree to a political dialogue in Burma.