Green MPs to speak at Burmese Day of Action events

Green MPs Keith Locke and Sue Kedgley will be speaking at Global Day of Action for Burma events tomorrow (Saturday, 6th October) in Christchurch and Wellington.

Foreign Affairs spokesperson Keith Locke will be using the occasion to press New Zealand to participate in economic sanctions against the Burmese regime.

“We should be following the lead of the European Union, which this week extended the range of its sanctions on imports from Burma to include timber and gemstones. New Zealand still imports teak furniture from Burma.

“We should also be adopting the EU and American stance to freeze the assets of members of the regime.

“The brutal repression of the Burmese democracy movement demands new measures. It would be pitiful if we just stayed with the visa ban on junta members coming here, which has been in place for some years.

“I will be also pressing the NZ Superannuation Fund to withdraw its $18 million stake in the French oil giant Total, a major investor in Burma. I don't accept the assurances of Adrian Orr, CEO of the Super Fund Guardians, that Total now operates a ‘human rights’ policy in Burma. Almost half of the regime’s foreign currency comes from oil sales, and much of that money is spent on weapons used against the people. As Reebok's CEO noted when his company withdrew from Burma, ‘it’s impossible to conduct business in Burma without supporting the regime.” Mr Locke says.

What: Keith Locke to address Global Day of Action for Burma Rally
When: Rally from 12.00 – 3pm, Keith to speak at approx 12.30pm, 6th October 2007
Where: Victoria Square (cnr Armagh and Colombo Streets), Christchurch

What: Sue Kedgley to address Global Day of Action for Burma Rally
When: Rally from 12.00 – 2pm, Sue to speak at approx 12.30pm, 6th October 2007
Where: Civic Square, Wellington