US sanctions on Burma renewed

By Agence France-Press

The US House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday to renew for one year a ban on imports from Burma over alleged human rights abuses by its military rulers.

Lawmakers approved the bill, which has sailed through the US Congress annually since the restrictions first passed in 2003, by a voice vote.

The Senate was expected to act soon to send the measure to President Barack Obama to sign into law.

The “Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003″ imposes a ban on Burmese imports unless the US president certifies that the country has taken steps toward democratic reforms and to help fight international drug smuggling.

“It is long overdue that the world acknowledges the regime is guilty of many heinous crimes, and we must lead the effort to hold it accountable,” said Representative Joseph Crowley, a longtime critic of Burma’s ruling junta.

The military regime in Burma plans to hold elections later this year despite disbanding the main opposition party led by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who is under house arrest.

President Barack Obama’s administration has voiced concern about the elections but last year opened dialogue with the regime as part of its global policy of engagement with US adversaries.

“The administration has worked hard to reach out to Burma’s military regime and has urged them to change their ways. I believe this was a worthwhile and valuable effort,” said Crowley, a member of Obama’s Democratic Party.

“However, those efforts have been met with complete rejection – in fact, the situation in Burma has grown worse. That’s why now is the time to crank up the pressure,” he said.

The Obama administration has told Burma that it is willing to lift sanctions in the future in return for progress on US concerns – in particular, democratization.

The administration was unimpressed by the junta last week allowing former members of Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy to run as a new party, a move some activists fear is meant to splinter the opposition.

Reference:

This is from DVB (Democratic Voice of Burma) by the author Agence France-Press.

My opinion:

It is good to have US sanctions on Burma renewed so that leaders from developed countries which support democracy can coerce Burmese juntas to develop democracy in the country. However, they should be aware of something. Than Shwe doesn't care he is blocked by various countries. He will do anything he can in order to enjoy luxuries and to rule the world. He won't even care about the civilians. He might even brutalize the civilians more if he is blocked in various way by the other countries in order for him to defend himself and to take advatage of them for his benefits.