State Sanctions Against Burma

Re “Wilson Rules Out California Action Against Myanmar,” Jan. 23: Gov. Pete Wilson was mistaken when he said at a press conference in Asia that it would be unconstitutional for the state of California to impose sanctions on companies operating in Burma (Myanmar).

The U.S. Supreme Court has specifically upheld the freedom of states to give their business as purchasers of goods and services to whomever they please. Thus, California and many other state and local governments were free to refuse to do business with companies operating in South Africa during the apartheid years. And they are free now to refuse to do business with companies operating in Burma, where an international outlaw regime is in power.

Wilson claims he wants to keep California out of foreign policy. But on his trade mission to Asia he was conducting a foreign policy: one that proclaims that Californians are eager to profit from dictators engaged in drug trafficking, environmental destruction, slave labor, torture and homicide.

ROBERT W. BENSON

Professor of Law

Loyola Law School, Los Angeles

* It appears that Gov. Wilson has been suckered by the likes of Unocal’s CEO John Imle. Surely the California Legislature has the power to ban the state from doing business with firms that engage in business or invest in that rogue narco-regime known as Burma.

California should follow Massachusetts’ example. Twelve American cities have already done so and more are joining.

U KYAW WIN

Laguna Hills