Obama Renews Sanctions on Burma

http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=19070

Obama Renews Sanctions on Burma

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By LALIT K. JHA / Washington Wednesday, July 28, 2010


US President Barack Obama signed into law a Congressional resolution renewing economic sanctions against the Burmese military junta one more year, the White House said on Tuesday.

The US House of Representatives and the Senate overwhelmingly passed the resolution to renew sanctions against the Burmese military junta almost three months ago.

The Senate passed the resolution by 99-1 votes. It was sponsored by a record 68 senators.

The “Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003," which imposed a ban on Burmese imports, was passed by the House by a voice vote.



Noting that renewed sanctions against the military regime is as important as ever, Sen. Mitch McConnell said the bipartisan support reflects the view of more than two-thirds of the Senate that the junta should be denied the legitimacy it pursues through this year’s sham elections.

“The ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) is continuing its efforts to try to stand up a farcical, new Constitution by holding a bogus election,” he said.

Sen. MaxBaucus said: “I have often questioned whether unilateral trade sanctions are the best path. But several trading partners—including the European Union, Canada, and Australia—have joined us in imposing sanctions against Burma.”

“The State Department has found that these sanctions have made it more difficult and costly for the Burmese regime to profit from imprisoning its people,” he said.

Sen. Barbara Feinstein said that for the past two decades, Burma’s despotic military rulers have engaged in a campaign of persecution against Aung San Suu Kyi, tarnishing her image wherever they could, unjustly convicting her of violating an illegitimate house arrest last year and extending her unlawful detention.

“She has spent the better part of 20 years under house arrest. She has not seen her two sons who live in the United Kingdom for years. She was not permitted to visit her husband when he was dying of cancer in the United Kingdom,” she said.

“Yet Aung San Suu Kyi remains resolute in her dedication to the pursuit of peaceful national reconciliation, as do the members of her political party, the National League for Democracy,” Feinstein said.

“Now, more than ever, the people of Burman need to know that we stand by them and support their vision of a free and democratic Burma,” the senator said.

Democratic Rep. Joseph Crowley said: “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. As a first step, I hope the United States will go on the record in acknowledging that the Burmese regime has committed crimes against humanity.”