My Opinion
Pepsico's complicity in the torment of Burma

Americans proudly proclaim ourselves as the defender of human rights and democracy throughout the world. Nevertheless, an astounding number of us remain ignorant of the injustices that continue to plague the global human community. An especially urgent case of such a tragically ignored situation is the crisis in Burma.

Burma is a large Southeast Asian nation just south of China. Since 1962, Burma has been ruled by a repressive military dictatorship. In the summer of 1988, the Burmese people engaged in massive public demonstrations demanding the army to step down to make way for democracy. The army responded by gunning down the unarmed demonstrators and murdering an estimated 10,000 civilians. The military government, renaming itself the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC), ordered the arrest and torture of thousands. Among those arrested were Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD).

After massive repression, SLORC sought to legitimate itself by holding elections in May 1990. Amazingly, the persecuted NLD won more than 80 percent of the seats, while SLORC candidates garnered barely 2 percent. Ignoring the elections, the junta swiftly launched new attacks on the citizenry to solidify its power. To this day, SLORC continues its despotic rule and refuses to release Suu Kyi. Notably, Suu Kyi was granted the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize for her courageous leadership in the Burmese people's quest for democracy.

The present situation in Burma remains one of unimaginable horror. Political kidnappings are common, and according to Amnesty International, "(in Burma), torture follows arrest, as night follows day." SLORC has also waged wars of "ethnic cleansing" against minorities, including the Royinga and Mon peoples. Human rights groups claim that 60,000 villagers are used as slave labor by the military, often forcing them to act as military porters and human "mine sweepers." Such malicious treatment has created a massive flood of 400,000 Burmese refugees. SLORC's horrific actions have deservedly brought on condemnations from the U.S. State Department, the United Nations, and concerned peoples worldwide.

Burma's democracy movement has sought to pressure SLORC to relinquish power by calling for an international divestment movement. The democrats point to the success that economic sanctions and corporate divestment had in pushing South Africa to democracy. Suu Kyi has explicitly asked corporations to end their Burmese ties, claiming that those that did not were "taking sides against democracy." Supporters argue that continuing business in the SLORC-dominated economy only helps the junta gain hard currency to purchase arms to fuel its ongoing repression. Numerous companies have obliged the request, including Coke and Levi Strauss, and should be commended for doing so.

However, Pepsico has refused to cut its economic ties to Burma. For years, Pepsico has ignored the demands of the Burmese democratic movement and maintained joint ventures with Burmese companies that have close SLORC connections. In fact, Pepsico has bottled Pepsi and 7up in Burma since 1991 and is planning Pizza Hut and Taco Bell restaurants there. And Pepsi recently sponsored a SLORC trade show, helping to give the brutal regime the credibility it desperately seeks.

Pepsico justifies itself by calling trade "a positive force for change." But according to the former U.S. Ambassador to Burma, Burton Levin, "Foreign investment in most countries acts as a catalyst for change, but the (Burmese) regime is so single-minded that whatever money they obtain from foreign sources, they pour straight into the army." And when Levi Strauss left Burma, it stated that "under current circumstances, it is impossible to do business in (Burma) without directly supporting the military government and its pervasive violations of human rights." Regardless, Pepsico continues its profit-seeking in Burma.

In response to Pepsico's obstinacy, Burma solidarity groups have called for a worldwide boycott of Pepsico (including Pepsi, Pizza Hut, KFC, Taco Bell, Frito Lay). Similar campaigns against other companies such as Eddie Bauer and Coke have succeeded in pressuring for their withdrawal from Burma. Various organizations in Boston, Ontario, Seattle and elsewhere have launched Pepsi boycotts, helping to build the Burma solidarity movement.

We at Penn State can also show our solidarity with the suffering Burmese people. Concerned student organizations ought to announce their solidarity by declaring support for the boycott. The University administration should use its considerable economic ties with Pepsi to publicly call for its withdrawal from Burma. Local businesses and newspapers (Collegian, Voices, etc.) should consider ceasing business with Pepsico until that company supports democracy in Burma. By not consuming Pepsico products, we can demonstrate our genuine commitment to human rights and democracy throughout the world.

Students interested in Burma's situation are invited to a meeting of Finding Common Ground 7 p.m. this Sunday at the HUB desk.