PRESS RELEASE

NCUB ACCLAIMS PASSAGE OF THE

TOM LANTOS BLOCK BURMESE JADE ACT

30 July 2008

The National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB) acclaims the United States
Government for enacting the Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE (Junta's Anti-Democratic
Efforts) Act of 2008 (H.R. 3890). This groundbreaking Act, passed unanimously by both
chambers of the United States Congress, and signed today by President Bush, constitutes the
strongest sanctions against the Burmese Military Junta to-date by cutting off revenue sources that
the Junta uses to terrorize and murder innocent citizens of Burma.
This Act not only eliminates revenue for the Junta by closing loopholes in Burma’s gems
trade with the United States, it also urges Chevron, the only United States company with an
investment in Burma subsidized by American taxpayers, to voluntarily divest from Burma. The
NCUB applauds Congress for its attention to this important issue. While it is regrettable that the
Act does not require Chevron to divest from Burma, the NCUB deeply appreciates the United
States Congress interest, as expressed in the statute, in the continued physical safety of the
human rights victims whom Chevron/Unocal settled with in 2004.
The NCUB expresses tremendous gratitude to the late Representative Tom Lantos (D-
CA) for his leadership as the primary author of this Act. The NCUB will always remember
Representative Lantos for his uncompromising, influential, and unwavering support of the
Burmese people’s non-violent struggle for freedom, democracy, and human rights.
Additionally, the NCUB would like to recognize and thank Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-
CA), Representative Howard Berman (D-CA), and Senator Joe Biden (D-DE) for their
leadership in championing this Act. Their resolve for and commitment to freedom for the people
of Burma enabled the passage of this landmark Act.
The NCUB supports the strongest possible sanctions against the Burmese Military Junta
and their corporate enablers as a means of pressuring the Junta to negotiate with democracy
leaders and transition to democracy. The NCUB believes that sanctions are an integral part of
the international strategy aimed at assisting the non-violent efforts to build a democratic state in
Burma.

For additional information, please contact:

Nyo Myint 66 8 9700 3432
Soe Aung 66 81839 9816
Nwe Aung 44 79 8820 7293
Maung Maung 202 492 0181