Burma's democracy movement has called for targeted economic sanctions against the regime in Burma, but instead of stopping companies investing in the oil, gas and timber sectors in Burma, where the regime earns most of its money, British and European companies are banned from investing in a pineapple juice factory and a few other companies no-one had ever heard of. It’s a joke. To highlight how ridiculous these measures are, we are asking people to post pineapples to Margaret Beckett, the British Foreign Secretary. Fresh pineapples are best, but tinned or dried pineapples are just as good (and cheaper to post if you don’t live in the UK).

Send your pineapple to:
Rt Hon Margaret Beckett MP, Foreign Secretary,
Foreign and Commonwealth Office,
King Charles St,
London SW1A 2AH

You don’t need to enclose a letter, we are pretty sure they’ll know why they have received a pineapple, but if you do want to write as well, here is some background information:

• Investment hurts, not helps, Burmese people
  In many countries trade and investment can benefit the poor, but in Burma the opposite is the case. Foreign trade and investment has enabled the regime to double the size of the army, and at the same time Burma has reduced spending on health and education.
  
  
• The UK is the second largest source of approved investment in Burma
  The regime estimates it has received a total of more than 1.2 billion dollars of UK investment since 1988, largely because companies from all over the world have used UK overseas territories to channel investment to Burma. They are attracted to dependent territories by tax incentives and the lack of transparency. In addition, UNOCAL used the fact that it had invested in Burma via Bermuda to try to avoid being sued in US courts over human rights abuses.
  
  
• If the EU won’t act, the UK can
  The government says it wants multilateral action against the regime. So do we, but France, Germany and other EU members refuse. Britain must show leadership and act unilaterally to ban investment. Britain could act today to stop foreign companies using the UK to invest in Burma, and introduce legislation to stop UK companies investing in Burma. It refuses to do so.