British American Tobacco (BAT) Out of Burma!/ Exiled Prime Minister Repeats Call for Divestment

Posted to the IUF website 08-Jul-2003

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BAT's plant in Rangoon. The company bought the Rothmans brand name in 1999.

The National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma, representing the parliament elected by a huge majority of voters in 1990 but forced underground by the military coup, has again publicly called for an end to foreign investment in the country pending democratic civilian rule.

Following a cabinet meeting in Sydney, Australia on July 8, Prime Minister Dr. Sein Win reiterated the elected government's view that "funds from these investments are prolonging military rule", drawing attention in particular to British American Tobacco (BAT), one of the last significant TNCs to remain active in Burma. The IUF has repeatedly called on BAT to withdraw from Burma.

Dr. Sein Win said that "There have been arguments against NCGUB's call for withdrawal of foreign investments because divestment and economic sanctions, they say, will hurt Burmese workers who will lose their jobs. Most of the foreign companies like the British American Tobacco work with the Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd., or the Myanmar Economic Corporation which are entirely owned by the Burmese military and its cronies.

"Military officers benefit most from foreign investments. We understand that there will be casualties at times like this. But for the good of the majority and for the long-term benefit of all, foreign companies must go."

IUF Asia-Pacific Regional Secretary Ma Wei Pin met with the NCGUB during their visit to Sydney and expressed the IUF's ongoing support for the democracy movement and the tourism and investment boycott.