Sarkozy asks French businesses to freeze Myanmar investments UPDATE

PARIS (Thomson Financial) – French President Nicolas Sarkozy called on French businesses including oil giant Total to freeze their investments in Myanmar in response to a crackdown on peaceful protestors.

‘France calls on all its private companies, such as Total, to exercise the greatest restraint concerning investments in Myanmar, and asks that they do not make any new ones,’ Sarkozy told the press after meeting the head of Myanmar’s self-proclaimed government-in-exile, Sein Win.

Sarkozy called for ‘sanctions to be adopted without delay’ against the country’s ruling junta by the United Nations Security Council, set to meet later today to discuss the situation.

‘France will not accept the gagging of Myanmar’s opposition,’ he warned, demanding that the European Union ‘also take sanctions as a consequence of the violations of human rights.’

Myanmar security forces used batons, tear gas and live rounds today in a violent crackdown on the mass protests, killing at least four people including three Buddhist monks, witnesses said.

tf.TFN-Europe_newsdesk@thomson.com

ra

COPYRIGHT

Copyright Thomson Financial News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.

The copying, republication or redistribution of Thomson Financial News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Financial News.