Brussels, 10/10/2007 (Agence Europe) - The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) called on the European Union on Tuesday 9 October to “take the lead by adopting tough sanctions on Burma” after the latest round of violent repression there by the military junta. In particular, ITUC and ETUC call on the EU to impose: (1) a ban on investing in Burma by all EU-registered companies and their subsidies, as well as on EU citizens, applying both to new investments and a requirement for divesting from existing business operations. This ban would cover all sectors, including oil and gas; (2) a ban on all EU-registered companies from entering into joint ventures or contracts or doing business with the military and state-owned entities; (3) a ban on the import into the EU of goods and services from Burma; (4) a ban on international financial transfers and transactions to or from Burma by citizens, official entities or companies from the EU. They also call on the EU to take measures intended to ensure that weapons from the EU are not sold to Burma by third countries. (gb)