Burma Action Movement meeting

Hello, all!
I would like to invite you all to the first meeting of Burma Action Movement. I have recently received informational materials from U.S. Campaign for Burma that we can present to the Wellesley Community. The meeting will be on Tuesday, November 13th at the Interim Chapel in Schneider (The red building between Clapp and the Chapel) at 9PM. We have many things to discuss. Please see the meeting agenda below. I know it’s a busy time of the semester for everyone, but the meeting should only last 30-40 minutes. If you cannot attend, please let me know, I will send you the minutes.

Agenda for Tuesday, November 13th
-Introduction
-How we can make a difference
-Massachusetts Burma Bill H. 2729Bill information
-It is stuck in the Public Service Committee. They cannot pass it this year because they already passed the Darfur Bill.
-Representative Conroy (representing Wayland, closest to Wellesley) is very familiar with Burma and has worked with Burmese refugees in the area. Bring him in for a lecture?
-We MUST pressure them to pass this bill.Burma Jade Block Bill of 2007
-China
-Upcoming Events
-Movie screenings: Burma: Our Cause and Human Rights in Burma
-Another call-in to Rep. Conroy’s office.
-U.S. Campaign for Burma representative for northeastern universities and college students.
-Meditation
-Other ideas.Volunteers/Planning
-End of meeting!

Please come, there will be snacks :)

Shareholder resolution for Chevron

2008 – Chevron

WHEREAS:

A growing number of companies such as Baker Hughes have divested their operations in Burma due to concerns about the repressive government of Burma’s ongoing human rights abuses;

Unocal settled legal claims out of court prior to its acquisition for their alleged complicity in human rights abuses in Burma, including benefiting from the use of forced labor;


In the summer of 2003, Congress overwhelmingly passed and President George W. Bush signed into law new restrictions banning imports of goods produced in Burma to the U.S.;

Secretary of State Colin Powell wrote in a column in The Wall Street Journal , calling the ruling government of Burma “thugs” and wrote, “We also should further limit commerce with Burma that enriches the junta's generals.”;


Chevron’s Unocal subsidiary provides pipeline operations in Burma and maintains a district office in Rangoon, Burma; and

This subsidiary has been causually linked to human rights abuses and environmentally destructive practices in Burma.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED , that shareholders request that the Board of Directors prepare a report to shareholders, at reasonable cost and omitting proprietary information, evaluating financial risks posed by company operations in a country with a pattern of ongoing and systematic violation of human rights and the financial impact to the company of divesting from these countries.



Supporting Statement



Burma (also called Myanmar) is ruled by a military government that seized power in 1988. The government voided 1990 elections, which were won by the National League for Democracy led by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. The government held Suu Kyi under house arrest from 1989 to 1995 and again for 18 months in 2001 and 2002. A year after releasing her, the military government provoked international criticism in May 2003 by attacking and killing a number of Suu Kyi's supporters and reimprisoning her.



Human rights violations in Myanmar are widespread and systematic. They include the use of child soldiers and forced labour. There are laws that criminalize peaceful expression of political dissent. At the end of 2006 most senior opposition figures were imprisoned or administratively detained, among more than 1,160 political prisoners held in deteriorating prison conditions. People are frequently arrested without warrant and held incommunicado; torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment are common, especially during interrogation and while in custody awaiting trial. Judicial proceedings against political detainees fall short of international standards for fair trial: defendants are often denied the right to legal counsel and prosecutors have relied on confessions extracted through torture.


In addition to the new U.S. trade sanctions, the European Union has imposed new trade sanctions and Japan is freezing the considerable foreign aid it grants to Burma. The new U.S. trade sanctions codify an existing U.S. policy to oppose World Bank loans or international technical assistance to Myanmar. In 1997, the U.S. banned U.S. companies from making new investment in Burma.



Given this context, we believe that Chevron’s operations’ in Burma face significant new financial risks and could damage our company’s reputation. A report outlining the company’s assessment of the financial risks of continued operations in Burma and would help shareholders better assess how human rights controversies may affect the company’s future growth and how the Board and management are managing risks associated with this issue.

Amnesty International Urgent Action letter

Dear Minister

I am deeply concerned by the reports that hundreds of monks and other peaceful protesters, including well-known comedian Zargana and member of parliament Paik Ko have been detained.

I strongly urge the Myanmar authorities to release them immediately and unconditionally, unless they are to be charged with recognizably criminal offences. I call on the authorities to ensure that, while they remain in custody, all the detainees are held only in official places of detention, and are given immediate access to lawyers, their families and any medical treatment they may require. I also call on the authorities to ensure that the detainees are not subjected to torture or any other ill-treatment.

I call on the authorities to ensure that all people in Myanmar are able to peacefully exercise the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly without fear of harassment, intimidation or arbitrary detention, in line with international human rights standards.

Yours Sincerely


________


Please send appeals to:

Foreign Minister Nyan Win
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Naypyitaw
Union of Myanmar

Fax: +95 1 222 950 OR +95 1 221 719

E-mail: mofa.aung@mptmail.net.mm

News from Burma

4.10.07 (13:30 Hr.)

Since midnight of 3rd. Oct. till I witness (13.30 hour) the scene, the monasteries near Kyaukasan pagoda in Thingangyun are heavily guarded by armed forces and residents monks are arrested. Two monasteries, namely, Dhamma Viponla and Kyaukasan ashay kyauksar-teik, have been raided by forces from Division 66 and searching operation is still going on till yesterday afternoon. It was informed that at least 5 monks were brought to concentration camp. The monastic school (orphaned center) is closer to the scene I witnessed. Eight Military Trucks, Lorries (Number plates covered), two fire engines, One police car are engaged in the operation.

All believed that the tension will change into actions again and again depending on the outcomes of political dialogues. Now people are prepared to face the economic hardship that is most likely to come up soon. Three days prayer campaign for the deaths of monks, students and innocent people will become one indicator for assessment over how people react, actively or passively.

Monks are now hiding in the wards and some monasteries are still under threat. There are many monks who could not sleep at their own monasteries. People said there is a good sale of mosquito coils. Monks said they will participate in the prayer campaign starting today.

The students who volunteer their expertise of information technology are becoming hot pursue target for seizure for the time being. They are leaving home for safety. I am worried about all of them. The government's tactic seems to be similar to the last 1988. They are threatening all strong opponents and activists to move out of Yangon and from all main cities. At the same time, they are observing their movement with the help of pro-activists. It seems the search and arrest activities will not stop
till unpredictable period.

People have stronger anti-government sentiment. People believe that this is the worst experiences in history of Myanmar. A lot of monks are forced to be laymen with great effort. Behind this, it can be interpreted and we can say definitely that a lot of monks are killed among the causalities. The authorities are trying to cut off communication between the missing monks and their community with whom the monks lived before. I do not think this will never cover the truths. It is really a great shock and tragedy for people of Myanmar.

The short interview story attached with will give all of the people both inside and outside Myanmar the reflection of people's feeling. It was retold by a young novice with fill of tears in his eyes. He got shock and restless emotion when I asked.

Severe wounds on the back of Hsin Thumana.

The moon spreads its lights over the silent night. The gate of monastery is closed. The daily recitation of Mitta mantra has gone with the fire. The young novices have a fear of being threatened with the outbreak of the gun fire. All of the young monks have left for safety at night time, but the oldest senior monk alone keep silent with the contemplation of Buddha's teaching. His mind is full of loving kindness, order of the Buddha teaching.

Both inside and outside, our mind and body, there is a scorching sun. Now we are missing early mornings of which the air is filled with the sounds of sharing merits accompanied with strike of brass triangular gong by the end of collective recitation of Mitta mantra by the monks and novices.

In front of the monastery, the old leafless tree symbolizing something which shows natural phenomena. Leafless means old has gone and new are coming.



(This is to honor Hshin Thumana, a junior monk who was under arrest after the seizing of one of the monasteries by armed forces. He was kicked several times while they are raided. His back is stamped with the foot prints of brutal soldiers. His return is unsure, no one will guarantee when or if he is still alive. The story retold by Hsin Thawmana under the leafless tree)

Hsin Thawmana

Ideas for Action Steps

A few ideas for Action steps:
Cut and paste to your heart’s content.
Demands could include:

1) Support UN, ASEAN and high level diplomatic efforts by immediately calling for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, the recently arrested monks and activists and other political prisoners, as well as an urgent end to attacks against ethnic minority civilians, monks, and democracy protestors.
2) Compel the Burmese military regime towards an inclusive and representative national reconciliation process under the guidance of the UN Special Envoy for Myanmar Ibrahim Gambari.
3) Support UN Security Council resolutions on Burma.

Private letters and faxes (let’s start an avalanche):

The China Angle:
Burma has been isolated economically: the only country with real sway there is China. China also wields the veto in the U.N. Security Council which needs to shift, for U.N. action to take place. China is hosting the up-coming Olympics of which the theme is “One World, One Dream.”

Hon. Mr. Hu Jintao, President
Hon. Mr. Wen Jiabao, Prime Minister
Hon. Mr. Tan Jiaxuan, State Counselor
Hon. Mr. Yang Jiechi, Foreign Minister
Hon. Mr. Wang Guangya, Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations,
Government of the People's Republic of China
Salutation: "Your Excellencies"

c/o Mission of China to UN
350 East 35th Street, New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-655-6100, Fax: 212-634-7626
E-mail: chinamission_un@fmprc.gov.cn

Hon. Mr. Zhou Wenzhong, Ambassador to the U.S. of the People’s Republic of China
Hon. Mr. Jiang Yu, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson
c/o Chinese Embassy to the United States
2133 Wisconsin Ave NW
Washington, DC 20007
(202) 625-2030

The Myanmar Angle: In this case be sure to refer to Burma as Myanmar and Rangoon as Yangon.

Hon. Mr. U Linn Myaing, Union of Myanmar Ambassador to the United States
c/o Embassy of the Union of Myanmar
2300 S Street NW, Washington D.C. - 20008
Tel: 202-332-3344, 202-332-4350, 202-332-4352
FAX : 202-332-4351
Email: info@mewashingtondc.com
E-mail: thuriya@aol.com



The Buddhist Angle: Officially called the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee (SSMNC) these are a group of monks who have supported the junta by enforcing Order No. 15, since 2001 banning monks who have ever been arrested from donning robes again once they are released. This is to intimidate monks who make up 3% of the population from taking part in the democracy movement. They administer the infamous “Monk Identity
Card” system which identifies “good establishment monks” from “pro-democracy monks.” Many monks have boycotted the identity card system even though they miss out on government subsidies that way. The State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee is opposed by the Young Monks Association,which has continued to support the 1990 “patam nikkujjana kamma" agreement, in protest of the mass killings of 1988, by which they
refuse to accept dana from government officials thus isolating them from absolution of their karma. This statement comes from section 262 of the Vinaya. There may be some point to American Buddhists influencing these senior monks to finally support the rest of the monks.

These are the establishment monks:

1. Agga Maha Saddhama Jotika Dhaja Sayadaw Bhaddanta Panna Dipa,
Dean of the Faculty of Patipatti at the International Theravada Buddhist
Missionary University (ITBMU).
2. Sayadaw Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotika
Bhaddanta Paññinda Bhivamsa, Vice-Chairman of the SSMNC and head of Aungmyebonsan Monastery
3. Magway Sayadaw Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotika Bhaddanta Kumara, General Secretary of SSMNC and Secretary Vice-Chancellor of the State Pariyatti Sasana Universities
4. Nyaungdon Sayadaw Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Bhaddanta Osadha Bhivamsa,Vice president of SSMNC and Joint Secretary and Sayadaw Chairman of the State Pariyatti Sasana Universities Administration Board
5. Bhaddanta Thuriya Bhivamsa, Vice President of SSMNC
6. Bhaddanta Sandima, Secretary of SSMNC
7. Bhaddanta Agghiya, President of Shwekyin Nikaya SSMNC
8. Bhaddanta Sumangala Lankara, Tipitakadhara Tipitaka Kovida Dhammabhandagarika, Ph.D
9. Dr Ashin Sila Nanda Bhivamsa, Rector Sayadaw, ITBMU
10. Dr Canda Vara Bhivamsa of the ITBMU, Buddhist Education Department
11. Dr Punnobhasa of Sitagu International Buddhist Academy of Myanmar

They most likely can be reached at the:
International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University
Dhammapala Hill,
Mayangone P.O.
Yangon,
UNION OF MYANMAR.
Fax: 095-1-650700
Phone: 095-1-650702

Except for:
Thegon Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Maha
Dhamma Kathika Bahujanahitadhara Dr Ashin Yanissara, Chancellor of
Sitagu
International Buddhist Academy Ovadacariya of the ITBMU and Honorary
Professor, who can be reached at:
Sitagu Vihara
Sagaing Hills
Sagaing City
UNION OF MYANMAR
Phone - 095-072-21270
or c/o Sitagu Ayudna Hospital
Phone - 095-072-21310
Fax - 095-072-21587



The Economic Angle:

U.S. companies doing business in Burma these days:

DHL
223, Sule Pagoda Road
7 (A ), Kaba Aye Pagoda Rd., Mayangon Tsp.
Tel 251752, 664434, 664423, Fax 664430

United Parcel Service
337 Boaungkyaw Street, Kyauktada Tsp
Tel: 245481 Fax 242734

Donations:

The previous massacre in 1988 was blacked out of the news, but this time private video and cell phones are making a difference. For video equipment for Burma, make out checks to “Stone Circles” and put “Burma Equipment” in the “for” line and mail to The Stone House, Attn: Burma Equipment, 6602 Nick’s Rd., Mebane, N.C., 27302.

U.S. Companies doing business in Burma -

I. Oil and Natural Gas - Since its 2005 takeover of Unocal, US oil giant Chevron has been one of the joint venture partners developing the Yadana offshore gas field in Burma, which earns the military regime millions of dollars and uses Burmese civilian slavery to construct the pipeline. Chevron also owns Texaco. Prior to acquisition by Chevron, Unocal settled a multi-million dollar human rights lawsuit. It's French partner, Total SA is currently the subject of a similar lawsuit.

David J. O'Reilly, Chairman and CEO, Chevron/Texaco, 6001 Bollinger Canyon Rd., San Ramon, CA, 94583, USA, Email: comment@chevron.com

Baker Hughes Corporate Headquarters, Oil and Natural Gas Industrial Supplies, 2929 Allen Parkway Ste 2100, Houston, TX, 77210-5177, USA, Fax: + 713 439 8699, Email: info@bakerhughes.com

J. W. Stewart, Chairman, President and CEO, BJ Oil Field Services, 5500 Northwest Central Drive, Houston, Texas 77092, USA, Email: rcoons@bjservices.com

Andrew Gould, Chairman, Schlumberger Oil Field Services, 153 E. 53rd St., 57th floor, New York, NY, 10022-4624, USA, Fax: 00 1 212 350 94 57

II. Tour and tour guide publication companies - Aung San Suu Kyi and the Burmese democracy movement have asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy.

A World Away Travels, PO Box 596, South Fork, Colorado, 81154, USA, Fax: +1-719-457-5932, Email: info@worldawaytravels.com

Geoffrey Kent, Chairman and CEO, Abercrombie & Kent, Inc., 1520 Kensington Road, Suite 212, Oak Brook, Illinois, 60523-2156, USA

Archaeological Tours, 271 Madison Avenue, Suite 904, New York, N.Y.,10016, USA, Fax: + (212) 370-1561, Email: ArchTours@aol.com

Managing Director, Fodor's/Random House, Inc., 1745 Broadway, New York,NY, 10019, USA

Managing Director, Hunter Publishing/Nelles Guides, PO Box 746, Walpole,MA 02081, USA, Email: comments@hunterpublishing.com

Managing Director, Let's Go/Pan MacMillan Publications, Inc., c/o Southeast Asia Section, 67 Mt. Auburn St., Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA, Fax: 617 496 7070, Email: feedback@letsgo.com

Old Burma Tour and Trading Company, 1825 Ponce De Leon Boulevard, P.O. Box 383, Coral Gables, Florida, 33134, USA, Fax: 305 569 0074, Email:info@oldburma.com

Financial Services - Swift financial services is owned and controlled by many of the world’s largest banks, including Citibank, HSBC and ABN Amro. Swift hosts an electronic network that banks use to make transfers to each other. Following the imposition of financial sanctions by the United States government in August 2003, the regime faced a crisis, unable to use dollars in financial transactions. Swift came to their aid, making four Burmese banks part of its network. The regime is now able to avoid US financial sanctions by making financial transfers in Euros using Swift’s
network.

Jaap Kamp, Chairman, Swift, C/O ABN AMRO Bank N.V., Head Office, Gustav Mahlerlaan 10, 1082 PP Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Leonard H Schrank, Chief Executive Officer, Swift, Avenue Adèle 1, B-1310 La Hulpe, Belgium, Fax: 00 32 2 655 32 26, Email: kara.condon@swift.com

Managing Director, Swift, 7th floor, The Corn Exchange, 55 Mark Lane,London EC3R 7NE, Fax: 020 7762 2222


May benefit arise from this.

Religions for Peace global appeal

1 October 2007

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Faith:

Religions for Peace has launched a global appeal in support of the
Buddhist monks in Myanmar, condemning violence and calling for dialogue.

Our entire global movement can participate in this appeal by sending an
email to Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe via the Religions for Peace
online campaign for Myanmar.

Three actions are important:

1.) Sign the appeal. [You may find suggested text below, which may be copied and pasted onto an email.]
2.) Send the email to: ReligionsforPeaceBurma@wcrp.org.
3.) Pass on this request to others who might join us in this campaign.

Religions for Peace will compile the emails and deliver them to the military government in Myanmar. No time is more urgent for all communities of faith to take common action for peace.

I urge you to join us. Please visit our Web site for updates on our Campaign for Myanmar: http://www.wcrp.org/initiatives/campaign-for-myanmar

In peace,
Dr. William F. Vendley
Secretary General
Religions for Peace–International

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DRAFT LETTER OF PROTEST TO GENERAL THAN SHWE.

Senior General Than Shwe
State Peace and Development Council
Ministry ofDefence
Dagon Post Office
Yangon, Union of Myanmar

Dear General:

As a person of faith, I condemn the violence being directed by the military government of Myanmar against the Buddhist monks and people of Myanmar peacefully seeking a government accountable to its citizens.

I urge the government of Myanmar to immediately refrain from the use of violence, release detained protesters, and enter into peaceful dialogue with the country’s religious communities and other groups.

Members of the Religions for Peace global coalition believe that an attack against the Myanmar religious community is an attack against all the world’s communities of faith. I stand with the Buddhist monks of Myanmar in their peaceful protest and support their courageous non-violent actions for peace.

Signed,

Name
Religious Affiliation
Title, Organization/Business
Street Address
City/State
Postal Code
Country

A letter in support of upcoming legislation

Mr. Timothy Cahill
State Treasurer
State House, Room 413-F
Boston, MA 02133
(617) 722-1625

October 5, 2007


Dear Treasurer:

I am writing to urge that you take action to support the Burmese democracy movement. The military junta of Burma, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), has brutally killed or detained hundreds of monks and civilians. Please support the peaceful uprising for freedom and urge the international community to take action to prevent the mass slaughter of innocent lives.

As you are aware, the Massachusetts legislature is currently considering a new Massachusetts Burma bill: H.2729. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Byron Rushing, would direct you, as Massachusetts State Treasurer, to use your powers as a shareholder to put pressure on companies that support Burma’s ruling military regime.

I ask that you explore all of the ways in which you, as Massachusetts Treasurer, can honor the Burmese democracy movement’s call for economic sanctions. As a shareholder in companies worldwide, Massachusetts has the power to question and oppose corporate investment in Burma.

Massachusetts has a long and proud tradition of leadership in supporting democratic movements around the world. The Commonwealth was a leader in the campaign against apartheid in South Africa. Massachusetts was also the first to enact a state law in support of the democracy movement in Burma. This is especially crucial now since the military junta is holding the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Burmese democracy movement leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, under house arrest.

Please write and tell me what action you will take as Massachusetts State Treasurer to support the Burmese democracy movement.

Sincerely,

Signature: _______________________________

Name: __________________________________

Address: ________________________________

_________________________________

Email: _________________________________


Bill text to be added.