[GJM] Tell the EU: squeeze Burma's junta...

[EcoTort]

  	Dear friends,

European foreign ministers will decide on Burma this Monday - urge your 
own foreign minister to back targeted sanctions and incentives!

*Send Your Message* 
<http://www.avaaz.org/en/eu_squeeze_the_junta/d.php?cl=31305890>

*This Monday, October 15, the foreign ministers of the 27 European Union 
states will meet in Luxembourg--and decide whether to live up to their 
warnings to the Burmese junta.*

Three weeks ago, the EU vowed to step up sanctions on the Burmese regime 
if it cracked down violently on the protesters. If the EU fails to take 
action now, the Burmese regime will take it as a sign that international 
pressure is mere talk, and won't hesitate to commit further atrocities.

Burma isn't a democracy, but EU countries should be. *If we can send a 
flood of messages to our own foreign ministers before the meeting on 
Monday, we can press each of them to vote for stronger sanctions and 
targeted incentives to push the regime into dialogue-- without hurting 
ordinary Burmese people.* Click here to send an email to your foreign 
minister:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/eu_squeeze_the_junta/d.php?cl=31305890

The brutal Burmese military sees EU sanctions as a serious threat. To 
finance its vast army, the junta exports billions in gas, oil, gems, and 
timber each year. Targeting these industries will hit the state-run 
monopolies, but won't affect the public; most Burmese are desperately 
poor and gain nothing from this ugly trade. In parallel we can offer aid 
and incentives for reconciliation. Strong sanctions would *give the 
democracy movement a powerful bargaining chip*-- the government might 
cede power in exchange for them being lifted.

That's why *Aung San Suu Kyi, the iconic Burmese opposition leader, has 
been calling for stronger international sanctions* for more than a 
decade. And it's why, earlier this week, she refused to back down--even 
after the dictator Than Shwe promised to meet with her if she would drop 
her demands.

We can stand with Suu Kyi, with the monks and other protesters--so many 
of whom have given their lives--by supporting their call. *Let's send a 
flood of messages to the EU foreign ministers before they meet this 
Monday, supporting targeted sanctions and incentives for Burma*:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/eu_squeeze_the_junta/d.php?cl=31305890

*The very day before the Burmese junta's crackdown began, the EU 
threatened to "reinforce and strengthen the existing sanctions regime" 
if the junta were to "resort to using violence against the unarmed and 
peaceful demonstrators."* Meanwhile, a remarkable global movement has 
arisen--protests worldwide, media attention, more than 750,000 
individuals signing the Avaaz petition on Burma.

*Unless European countries act now, international pressure could lose 
all credibility.* It is up to us to make sure that our leaders live up 
to their own words--and take meaningful action now to support the 
Burmese people.

With hope and determination,

Ben, Ricken, Pascal, Graziela, Galit, Iain, Paul, Sarah, and Milena - 
the Avaaz team.

PS: Some recommended background reading...

Suu Kyi refusing to surrender to Than Shwe on sanctions - 
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/asia/article3043752.ece

A comprehensive background on Burma sanctions; excellent answers to 
common questions - 
http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/reports/targeted_sanctions.htm 
<%20http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/reports/targeted_sanctions.htm>

A statement supporting sanctions by the National League of Democracy 
spokesperson -
http://english.dvb.no/news.php?id=308 
<%20http://english.dvb.no/news.php?id=308>

And the European Union statement threatening stronger sanctions if the 
Burmese government resorted to violence -
http://www.eu2007.pt/UE/vEN/Noticias_Documentos/Declaracoes_PESC/20070925PESCII.htm


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