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'Dirty List' Exposes Companies Supporting Regime in Burma
'Dirty List' Exposes Companies Supporting Regime in Burma
Published 08-20-03
Submitted by Burma Campaign UK
They join British American Tobacco (BAT), Suzuki, Total Oil, construction firm Kajima, Lonely Planet, Austrian Airlines, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Daewoo, and Orient Express.
"The 'Dirty List' exposes companies who are directly or indirectly helping to finance one of the most brutal regimes in the world," said John Jackson, Director of Burma Campaign UK. "Foreign investment and trade can benefit developing countries, but in Burma it helps finance a regime that uses rape, torture and murder to oppress its own people."
WPP's successful takeover of Cordiant Communications means they now have a subsidiary in Burma - Bates Myanmar. Ernst & Young have a partner in Burma. P&O Cruises have merged with Carnival Corporation, which operates cruises to Burma. Deutsche Post subsidiary DHL has a subsidiary in Burma which is a joint venture with the regime. Superdrug and 3 mobile join the 'Dirty List' as subsidiaries of Hutchison Whampoa, which operates a port in Burma.
Gary Player Design, owned by golf legend Gary Player, Intrepid Travel, PanMacmillan, and Noble Caledonia are other new additions to the list.
The list mainly targets British companies or companies with a significant presence in Britain. A total of 78 are named and shamed. An updated 'Clean List' of companies who have pulled out or have policies not to trade with Burma is also released today. These include Premier Oil, Kuoni, M&S, Next, Levi's, Texaco and Triumph International.
"Most companies will not get involved with Burma because of the ethical issues involved," says John Jackson. "It is significant that even without investment sanctions only two FTSE 100 companies, BAT and WPP, have any significant involvement in Burma." In July the British government asked BAT to pull out of Burma.
The travel industry dominates the list, with 26 travel companies operating tours to Burma and 12 companies publishing guides that encourage people to visit the country. There is a tourist boycott of Burma as tourism is an important source of income for the regime, and much tourist infrastructure has been built using slave labour and child labour. The Burma Campaign UK is currently calling for a boycott of Lonely Planet as it publishes a guide to Burma.
The list is intended as a resource for investors and campaigners. Campaign action sheets for each of the companies are available on the Burma Campaign UK website: www.burmacampaign.org.uk.
For more information and a word version of the Dirty List, contact Mark Farmaner, Media Officer, on 020 7281 7377, mobile 07941 239 640.
THE 'DIRTY LIST' FOLLOWS.
COMPANIES SUPPORTING THE REGIME IN BURMA
'THE DIRTY LIST'
INTRODUCTION
Burma is a country ruled by one of the longest running and most brutal military dictatorships in the world; a dictatorship charged by the United Nations with a "crime against humanity" for its systematic abuses of human rights, and condemned internationally for refusing to transfer power to the legally elected Government of the country - the party led by Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
In May 2003 a pro government militia attacked a convoy Aung San Suu Kyi was travelling in. Up to one hundred of her supporters were massacred. Aung San Suu Kyi escaped the attack, but was arrested by the regime. She remains under arrest, her whereabouts unknown.
In response to calls from Burma's democracy movement, the Burma Campaign UK and other campaign groups around the world have been pressuring companies to sever business ties with Burma. Whereas in many developing countries foreign investment and trade can benefit the poor, in Burma it has the opposite effect. Instead it funds a brutal dictatorship, helping it to cling on to power.
The European Parliament, the British government, Burma's democrats, the US government and many other bodies and institutions recognise the role investment plays in strengthening Burma's regime. The British government actively discourages trade and investment in Burma and has called on companies to pull out. In July 2003 it asked British American Tobacco to pull out of Burma.
Concern about the role foreign investment plays in perpetuating the brutal regime is also widespread in the private sector. In December 2001 European investment funds managing over £400bn in assets issued a groundbreaking statement of concern about companies investing in Burma.
Over the last five years a large number of foreign companies have withdrawn from the country. The reasons cited for doing so include: difficulties in working with the regime, consumer boycotts, damage to company reputation and incompatibility with corporate values. These companies now include amongst others: Texaco, Adidas, Kuoni, Premier Oil, Triumph International, Levi Strauss, PepsiCo, Erickson, Heineken, Carlsberg, British Home Stores, Burton, River Island, Apple, Reebok and Compaq.
Companies remaining in Burma often attempt to justify their involvement by claiming that pulling out would harm ordinary Burmese people. Aung San Suu Kyi disputes this. Two days after her release from house arrest in May 2002, Aung San Suu Kyi stated "I don't think we have found evidence that sanctions have harmed the Burmese people, because they have been clearly limited and many of those who have suffered under sanctions have belonged to the business community. Naturally some ordinary employees have been exposed, but we have not yet found proof that large numbers of Burmese have suffered as a result of sanctions. Sanctions have a role to play because they are a strong political message. But also because they are an economic message."
Companies are attracted to Burma by wages as low as 17p a day, a compliant workforce where unions are banned, and limited health and safety laws which in any case are rarely enforced. The minimum working age is 13.
This list of companies supporting the regime in Burma (The Dirty List) mainly consists of British companies or foreign companies with a significant presence in Britain. It lists companies whose involvement in Burma provides financial or other support to the regime. Subsidiaries or parent companies of companies on the dirty list are automatically included on the 'Dirty List'. This 'Dirty List' is not a definitive list of every single company which operates in Burma. The Burma Campaign UK is not calling for a total trade boycott of Burma. We are calling for targeted sanctions which will cut the economic lifeline to the regime. We believe companies on this list are directly or indirectly helping to keep the regime in power.
This list is for use by campaigners, investment funds and individual investors. Many people will not wish to purchase products from companies linked with the regime in Burma. At present the Burma Campaign UK is co-ordinating boycott campaigns targeting Lonely Planet and tourism to Burma. We are not actively co-ordinating boycotts of all the companies on this dirty list, however we welcome people contacting these companies urging them to pull out. Action sheets are available at www.burmacampaign.org.uk.
We have also published a 'Clean List' of companies that have taken principled decisions not to operate in Burma, or that have pulled out in response to campaigns.
The Burma Campaign UK welcomes suggestions for additions to the Dirty List that we may have neglected to include.
ADVENTURES ABROAD
Adventures Abroad is a travel tour operator which organises and promotes holidays to Burma. Its latest guide calls Burma a "hidden jewel" with "so much to see". No mention is made of the military dictatorship. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
AIRPHOTO INTERNATIONAL LTD/ODYSSEY GUIDES
Airphoto is a Chinese based publishing company that produces guides to Burma as part of its Odyssey Guide range. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
ALEXANDER ROSE
Alexander Rose is a garden furniture company based in West Sussex and describes itself as a 'market leader'. It is involved in every stage of the manufacture of its furniture, from selecting the timber onwards. Burma is one of the countries it manufactures its furniture in. Timber exports are an important source of revenue for the regime.
ANDREW BROCK TRAVEL
Andrew Brock Travel is a tour operator that organises tours to Burma. Andrew Brock has dismissed requests to stop selling holidays to Burma, but said he would support armed intervention. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
AON CORPORATION
Aon Corporation is a global risk management, reinsurance and consulting company. Its head office is in the USA. Aon has two offices in Burma. It operates a reinsurance business based on contracts awarded by Myanmar Insurance, a company owned and controlled by the military regime.
AUDLEY TRAVEL
Audley Travel is a travel company that organises tours to Burma. It also promotes holidays to Burma in national newspapers, including the Sunday Telegraph, The Times, The Guardian and The Observer. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
AUSTRIAN AIRLINES/LAUDA AIR
Lauda Air is part of Austrian Airlines. In November 2002 Lauda began direct flights to Burma. Lauda expect the service to be used by tourists and business travellers. Lauda is also promoting Burma as a holiday destination. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
BALES WORLDWIDE
Bales Worldwide is a travel company that organises tours to Burma. Its 2003 brochure promotes holidays to what it calls "the Golden Land". Although the brochure admits there are 'conflicting views' on whether tourists should visit Burma, it argues in favour of tourism. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
BRANDTEX
Brandtex is a Danish clothing company with retail outlets across Europe. It also sells clothing in the UK through small retailers. Documents released by the Norwegian government reveal Brandtex sources clothing from Burma. Clothing exports are an important source of income for the regime.
BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (BAT)
BAT is one of the most important UK investors in Burma. Its Burmese subsidiary - Rothmans of Pall Mall Myanmar - is a joint venture with the military regime. In 1996 the industrial zone where the factory is located was upgraded using child labour. Factory workers are paid as little as 17p a day. The factory earns the regime around $400,000 a year in profits and has paid it an estimated additional $16m in taxes.
CARNIVAL/P&O
Carnival Corporation merged with P&O Cruises in April 2003. The combined company owns cruise lines P&O Cruises, Cunard, Costa, Windstar, Holland America and Seabourn. Seabourn operates cruises which visit Burma. Brochures make no mention of the military dictatorship. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
CHAMPION TIMBER
Champion Timber is a Timber merchant that sources teak from Burma. Timber exports are an important source of income for Burma's dictatorship.
CROWN RELOCATIONS
Crown Relocations is a Hong Kong based company with offices in the UK. It is employed by governments, corporations and non-government agencies to arrange relocation of staff when they need to work overseas. Crown has an office in Burma which facilitates the transfer of expat staff employed by foreign investors in Burma. Crown strongly defends foreign investment in Burma.
DAEWOO INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
Daewoo is a South Korean conglomerate with interests ranging from oil and gas, to grain, televisions and cars. It is a partner in the Bay of Bengal gas exploration project in Burma which is expected to reveal reserves valued at $100 million. Daewoo Motors also has a car assembly plant which is a joint venture with Myanmar Automobile and Diesel Industries (MADI). MADI is owned and controlled by the regime. It also has timber manufacturing and clothing interests in Burma.
DIETHELM KELLER GROUP/STA TRAVEL
Diethelm Keller Group is a private Swiss company with a wide range of investments, including Diethelm Travel, which operates holiday tours to Burma. Diethelm boasts that it pioneered tourism to Burma. Diethelm also own STA travel. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
DEUTSCHE POST/DHL
Deutsche Post own DHL, a global parcel delivery service. They have a subsidiary in Burma that is a joint venture with the military regime. The DHL website has "information that may be of interest to you when doing business with Myanmar."
EASTRAVEL
Eastravel is a UK travel company offering tours to Burma. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
EDEN FURNITURE
Eden Furniture is a garden furniture manufacturer that sources timber from Burma. Timber exports are an important source of income for Burma's dictatorship.
ERNST & YOUNG
Ernst & Young are a global financial services group providing accountancy and financial advice to businesses. Ernst & Young have an associated firm in Burma, U Tin Win Group.
EXPLORERS TOURS
Explorers Tours organise diving holidays to Burma. Their 2002/2003 brochure offers two diving trips. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
FODOR'S
Fodor's are an American publishing company that specialises in travel guides. Their South East Asia guide includes a section on Burma which helps facilitate tourism to the country. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
FRESHFIELD BRUCKHAUS DERINGER
Freshfield Bruckhaus Deringer is an international business law firm. They advise Malaysian oil company Petronas on its Yetagun gas pipeline which exports gas from Burma.
FROMMER'S GUIDEBOOKS/WILEY PUBLISHING
Wiley Publishing owns Frommers, a publisher specialising in Guidebooks. Its South East Asia guidebook includes a section on Burma, which helps facilitate tourism to the country. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
GARY PLAYER DESIGN
Gary Player Design is a golf course design company run by golf legend Gary Player. His company designed the Pun Hlaing golf course in Burma. The regime in Burma promotes golf in Burma as they hope it will attract more tourists. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
HIGHBURY HOUSE COMMUNICATIONS/PARAGON PUBLISHING
Highbury House Communications is a UK publishing company. Highbury produce a wide range of publications including trade and retail magazines and CNN traveller magazine for CNN. Highbury House purchased Paragon Publishing in July 2003. They also own Columbus Travel Publishing, which produces a travel website www.travel-guide.com. This website includes a guide to Burma. Columbus also supply content promoting holidays to Burma to other websites, such as expedia.co.uk. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
HUNTER PUBLISHING/NELLES GUIDES
Hunter Publishing is an American publishing company that produces a guide to Burma under its Nelles Guide imprint. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
HUTCHISON WHAMPOA LTD/ 3 MOBILE/ SUPERDRUG
Hutchison Whampoa Ltd is a Hong Kong based company with a wide range of investments around the world. In Burma it operates Myanmar International Terminals Thilawa (MITT), a major port in Burma. It describes these port terminals as "strategically positioned to facilitate and service Myanmar's international trade." In the UK Hutchison owns, Superdrug, three major ports - Felixstowe, Harwich International and Thamesport, a majority stake in 3 Mobile, and has major stakes in luxury property developments such as Royal Gate in Kensington, Belgravia Place near Sloane Square and Albion Wharf in Chelsea.
INSIGHT GUIDES
Insight Guides is an independent company that produce holiday guides, including a guide to Burma which promotes tourism to the country. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
INTREPID TRAVEL
Intrepid Travel is an Australian tour operator with offices in the UK, USA and Canada. Intrepid decided to pull out of Burma in 1999 because of concerns about tourism supporting the regime. In July 2002 Intrepid decided to return to Burma, using the excuse of Aung San Suu Kyi's release from house arrest, even though she has stated since her release that nothing had changed in Burma and pressure should not be relaxed. Aung San Suu Kyi is now back under arrest, but Intrepid continue to operate tours to Burma.
IVANHOE
Ivanhoe is a Canadian mining company with very close links to the regime in Burma. As the largest foreign mining investor in Burma it operates the Monywa Copper mine in a joint venture with the regime. Rail and power infrastructure in the area of the mine was built using forced labour.
JAPAN AIRLINES/NIKKO HOTELS INTERNATIONAL
Nikko Hotels International, a subsidiary of Japan Airlines, owns hotels all over the world. In Burma Nikko operate the Hotel Nikko Royal Lake Yangon. In the UK they own the Montcalm-Hotel Nikko London.
KAJIMA
Kajima is a Japanese construction company with contracts all over the world. Kajima has an office in Burma and has undertaken several construction contracts for the regime. In the UK Kajima has won contracts from North Tyneside and Cambridge Councils.
KIRCODAN FURNITURE
Kircodan is a Danish furniture manufacturer that sources timber from Burma. Kircodans furniture is sold in the UK. Timber exports are an important source of income for Burma's dictatorship.
LEEWARD CAPITAL CORP
Leeward Capital Corp are a Canadian mining company. They are in a joint venture with the regime to mine and export amber.
LET'S GO/PAN MACMILLAN
Let's Go are an American publisher of travel guides. Pan Macmillan publishes the Let's Go series in the UK. The Let's Go South East Asia guide includes a section on Burma which helps facilitate tourism to the country. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
LION MINING FINANCE
Lion Mining Finance is a British company. In late 2002 it submitted a bid to the military regime to explore for platinum in Kachin State.
LISTER
Lister is a garden furniture manufacturer based in Sussex. It sources teak from Burma. Timber exports are an important source of income for the regime.
LONELY PLANET
Lonely Planet is an Australian based travel guide publishing company with offices in France, UK and USA. Lonely Planet publish a guide to Burma which encourages tourists to visit the country. This publishing company believes Burma's elected democracy movement is wrong to ask tourists to stay away. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
MAGIC OF THE ORIENT
Magic of the Orient is a travel company that organise tours to Burma. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
MARSHALLS TRAVEL
Marshalls Travel is a Jersey based holiday company that operates tours to Burma. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
MARUBENI
Marubeni is a Japanese company with interests ranging from oil and gas to clothing and timber. In Burma they helped finance the Monywa Copper mine developed by Ivanhoe. In the UK Marubeni develops oil and gas reserves in the North Sea.
MEKONG TRAVEL
Mekong Travel is a travel company based in Buckinghamshire which specialise in holidays to Indochina, including Burma. On their website they describe how decades of isolation as a result of military dictatorship "have preserved here many of the traditional features, physical and cultural, which have been lost in other Asian countries." Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
MITSUI & CO LTD
Mitsui is a Japanese conglomerate with interests ranging from metals and mining to electronic goods, clothes and chemicals. It is a joint venture partner with the Burmese government in the Mingaladon Industrial Park, which was set up to attract foreign investors to Burma.
MOON HANDBOOKS/AVALON TRAVEL
Moon Handbooks are published by Avalon Travel, an American publishing company. Moon Handbooks South East Asia guide includes a section on Burma which helps facilitate tourism to the country. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
MOUNTAIN TRAVEL SOBEK
Mountain Travel Sobek is an adventure travel company with offices in the US and UK. They operate tours to Burma. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
NEW HORIZONS TRAVELS AND TOURS LTD
New Horizons Travels and Tours is a London based company that organise holidays to Burma. They promote them through their website burmaexpeditions.com. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
NIPPON OIL
Japanese oil firm Nippon Oil are one of the joint venture partners developing the Yadana offshore gas field in Burma, which is expected to earn the military regime millions of dollars.
NOBLE CALEDONIA
Noble Caledonia is a British holiday cruise company offering cruises all over the world. They operate a cruise on the Irrawaddy River in Burma. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
NORTON ROSE
Norton Rose is a major international law firm with its main office in the City of London. Through its office in Singapore Norton Rose has worked for many investors and companies operating in Burma.
ORACLE ENERGY GROUP
Oracle Energy Group is a Canadian oil and gas exploration company. It is managed by teams in the UK and Canada. In February 2002 the company announced it had won a contract with the military dictatorship in Burma to conduct a review of potential oil and gas reserves in the country.
PEREGRINE ADVENTURES
Peregrine Adventures is an Australian travel company with an office in London. Peregrine offer 12 day tours of Burma. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
PETRONAS
Petronas is a Malaysian state owned oil and gas company. It has several contracts with the regime in Burma to extract and explore for oil and gas in the country.
PETTITTS
Pettitts is a travel company based in Kent. They offer a 9 day tour of Burma. They are one of the few travel companies to mention that there are ethical problems with visiting Burma. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
PINAULT-PRINTEMPS-REDOUTE (PPR)/LA REDOUTE/GUCCI GROUP
PPR own La Redoute, a French clothing company with a growing presence in the UK catalogue market. La Redoute source clothes from Burma. PPR are also the majority shareholder in Gucci, which in turn owns Yves Saint Laurent Clothing Exports are an important source of income for the regime.
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS (PwC)
PwC have a partner in Burma, PricewaterhouseCoopers Hla Tun Consultants Ltd, to which they refer clients wanting business advice in Burma. A member of the PwC network is a part owner of Hla Tun.
THE RAILWAY TOURING COMPANY
The Railway Touring Company offers tours of Burma by steam trains hired from the regime. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
RESULT
Result is a UK clothing manufacturer which sources clothes from Burma. Garment exports are an important source of income for the regime.
SCANSIA SDN BHD
Scansia Sdn Bhd is a Malaysian company. Scanisa Myanmar manufactures garden furniture in a plant in Rangoon. All its timber is purchased from the regime owned company Myanmar Timber Enterprise (MTE). The furniture is exported to the UK, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Japan.
SCHLUMBERGER
Schlumberger is an American technology company which operate all over the world. Schlumberger Oilfield Services operates an oil rig in Burma. It also operates oil rigs in UK waters in the North Sea.
SEA CONTAINERS/ORIENT EXPRESS
Orient Express is a subsidiary of Sea Containers. It offers holidays to Burma including cruises on the Irrawaddy river. Its promotional material makes no mention of the regime or that tourists have been asked to stay away. Sea containers also own GNER railways, Hoverspeed, and Folkestone Port. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
SILVERBIRD TRAVEL
Silverbird Travel is a London based travel company that operates tours to Burma. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
SRI ASIA TOURISM SERVICE
Sri Asia Tourism service is a Burmese travel company offering holidays to Burma through offices in the UK and Australia. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
STEPPES TRAVEL/STEPPES EAST
Steppes East is a UK travel company offering holidays to Burma. Tours cost more than £2,000 and last up to 20 days. They continue to operate tours to the country despite Nicholas A G Laing of Steppes East admitting to the Burma Campaign UK that: "Myanmar is a highly controversial subject which I have yet to fathom." Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
SUMITOMO CORPORATION
Sumitomo Corporation is a Japanese conglomerate with extensive financial interests in the UK. Sumitomo are in a joint venture with Myanmar General and Maintenance Industries (MGMI) producing steel. MGMI are owned and controlled by the military regime.
SUZUKI
Suzuki's main business is the manufacture of cars and motorbikes. In 1998 Suzuki invested $6.9 million to set up a joint venture with Myanmar Automobile & Diesel Engine Industries (MADI). MADI is controlled by the military regime. Suzuki owns 60% of the business, MADI 30% with the remaining 10% split between two Burmese companies with close government links. The factory has around 40 Burmese employees.
TENNYSON TRAVEL
Tennyson Travel is a UK travel company that trades under the name Visit Vietnam. As well as tours to Vietnam it also operates tours to Burma which it advertises in national newspapers. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
TERI WALTER
Teri Walter is a furniture design company based in Cornwall, UK. It sources timber from Burma for its furniture. Timber exports are an important source of income for Burma's dictatorship.
TAIGA CONSULTANTS LTD
Taiga Consultant Ltd are a Canadian geological consulting firm. Taiga has an office in Burma and works closely with the regime exploring for base and precious metals.
TIMBMET
Timbmet is a UK timber company which sources teak from Burma. Timber exports are an important source of income for the regime.
TOTAL
Total is a French oil company which is in a joint venture with the military regime developing an offshore gas field in the Andaman sea. The gas is exported to Thailand through a pipeline that travels 65 kilometres through Burma. Total is one of the biggest foreign investors in Burma.
TRAILBLAZER GUIDES
Trailblazer Guides publish a guide to South East Asia that includes a section on Burma. This section facilitates tourism to the country. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
TRANS INDUS LTD
Trans Indus is a British holiday company that operates tours to Burma. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
TRAVEL WORLD MEDIA LTD
Travel World Media is a Gloucester based company that own ElephantGuide.com, a website which publishes guides to Burma promoting holidays to the country. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
UNOCAL
US oil firm Unocal is one of the joint venture partners developing the Yadana offshore gas field in Burma, which is expected to earn the military regime millions of dollars.
UTOPIA TOURS
Utopia Tours is a travel company based in Thailand which specialises in holidays for gays and lesbians. It advertises tours to Burma in Gay and Lesbian media in the UK. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
WILLIS GROUP HOLDINGS
Willis Group Holdings is a global insurance broker. The Federation of Trade Unions - Burma reports that through its Singapore office Willis provide insurance cover for companies investing in Burma.
WORLDWIDE JOURNEYS & EXPEDITIONS
Worldwide Journeys is a UK tour operator offering tours to Burma. Describing Burma as "an extraordinary country", no mention is made of the military dictatorship. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
WPP/CORDIANT COMMUNICATIONS
WPP is one of the largest advertising companies in the world. WPP owns Cordiant Communications, which in turn owns the global advertising company Bates Group, which has a subsidiary in Burma. Bates Myanmar has handled advertising contracts for many foreign investors in Burma, including joint ventures with the regime such as BAT's subsidiary, Rothmans of Pall Mall Myanmar.
