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US Congress approves Burma sanctions

Irrawaddy - September 19, 2011

Lalit K Jha, Washinhton – The United States Congress has approved extending trade sanctions against Burma by one more year, as Senate lawmakers noted that there has not been any change in the human rights violations and restoration of genuine democracy in the country even after the formation on a new government following the election last year.

The resolution, which was earlier passed unanimously by the House of Representatives, now goes to the White House for the US president, Barack Obama, to formally extend the trade and economic sanctions against Burma by one more year.

Hailing the congressional passage of the resolution, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Senator Max Baucus said such an action has come in response to the Burmese government's continued human rights violations and suppression of political opposition.

Earlier speaking on the senate floor, Baucus said in furthering its hold over Burmese society, the regime has committed crimes of murder, abduction, rape, torture, recruitment of child soldiers and forced labor – all with impunity.

"In recent months, however, we have seen some encouraging steps. Last November, the Burmese regime released Aung San Suu Kyi, the pro-democracy leader and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, after a long and unjustified incarceration. The regime has made some modest movement towards dialogue with the opposition," he said.

"But it is far too soon to think that the walk to has succeeded. Just two months after releasing Aung San Suu Kyi, the regime dissolved the National League for Democracy, which has sought to bring democracy to Burma for more than 20 years. And the regime keeps more than 2,000 political prisoners in detention," he said.

Several other countries including the European Union, Canada, and Australia have joined the US in imposing trade and investment sanctions against Burma. "These sanctions have put significant pressure on the Burmese leadership," Baucus said.

Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) has announced that Suu Kyi would address live via satellite its annual meeting being held in New York, which is being attended by more than 50 heads of state including Obama.

The announcement in this regard was made by former US President Bill Clinton who heads the CGI. In a rare direct transmission, Suu Kyi would appear along with Archbishop Desmond Tutu in "Conversations on Courage," he said.

"Aung San Suu Kyi's and Archbishop Desmond Tutu's extraordinary leadership in addressing critical global challenges exemplifies the shared dedication of Clinton Global Initiative members, who have improved the lives of more than 300 million people in more than 180 countries since CGI began seven years ago," Clinton said.

Drawing upon her own struggles for human rights, democratic governance, and ethnic reconciliation, Suu Kyi will highlight a wide range of strategic actions CGI members can take on these issues. Archbishop Tutu, chairman of the Elders – an independent group of global leaders who work together for peace and human rights – will discuss the importance of a new global effort to end the practice of child marriage, Clinton said.

 As continuous international efforts on Burma continue, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told visiting Burmese Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin on Sunday that the new Burmese government should not miss the opportunity of improved goodwill of the international community by urging him to release political prisoners.

"The secretary-general noted that Myanmar [Burma] should not miss the opportunity of the improved goodwill toward the government's stated objectives and reiterated the UN's commitment to continue to help the country address its political and developmental challenges," a spokesman for Ban said.

During the meeting held at the UN headquarters in New York, the UN secretary-general reiterated his call for the early release of the remaining political prisoners.

Burma's foreign minister is currently in New York to attend the ongoing annual session of the UN General Assembly.

This was among his first meetings at the UN. Ban recognized the significance of recent developments in the country and encouraged the Burmese regime to step up its reform efforts in order to bring about an inclusive transition in the interest of all the people of the country, the UN statement said.

Ban and Wunna Maung Lwin also exchanged views on regional issues, including the upcoming Asean Summit in November; a UN spokesman said.

According to UN officials, Ban has convened a meeting of his Friends on Burma – a group of 14 countries – to discuss with them the current situation in Burma and the way forward.

The meeting is expected to be attended by several foreign ministers, officials said.

Besides addressing the UN General Assembly, Burma's foreign minister is scheduled to meet US Assistant Secretary of State for South East Asia and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell to continue US-Burma talks.

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