[Intl-tobacco] UK asks BAT to leave Burma

[Robert Weissman]

Source: Daily Telegraph/Sunday Telegraph (au), 2003-07-03

THE British Government had asked tobacco giant BAT to pull out of
strife-torn Burma, the Foreign Office said. It said that junior foreign
minister Mike O'Brien had made the request at a meeting with BAT
(British American Tobacco) chairman Martin Broughton. . .

Prime Minister Tony Blair earlier told parliament that trade between
British companies and the military regime was not appropriate.

"We are making it clear to British companies that we do not believe this
is appropriate in circumstances where this regime continues to suppress
the basic human rights of its people."



Source: BBC Online, 2003-07-02

Cigarette giant British American Tobacco (BAT) has been formally asked
by UK ministers to stop doing business in
troubled Burma.

BAT last month said it had no intention of pulling out of the country.

But meeting company chairman Martin Broughton on Thursday, Foreign
Office Minister Mike O'Brien said the firm had
agreed to consider the request, and give a formal reply soon.