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Mizzima News
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Thursday, 24 April 2008 18:42 |
The European Union is expected to extend economic and political sanctions against Burma's recalcitrant generals for another 12 months.
The sanctions in question, first imposed in October of last year in the wake of the regime's violent crackdown on mass protests, will be formally extended at an EU Foreign Ministers commencing April 28 in Luxembourg.
According to Slovenian officials, current occupants of the EU's rotating presidency, the organization is taking this step as the human rights situation inside Burma has failed to improve. Specifically, Slovenia's State Secretary for European Affairs, Janez Lenarcic, cited the continued detention of political prisoners, including opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, and the lack of return to civilian government.
It is expected, however, that the EU will continue to permit development aid to Burma.
Despite ratcheting up sanctions on the junta in October of 2007, the EU continues to leave oil and gas exports unrestrained under sanctions policy. The biggest European stake in Burma's energy sector is held by France's Total, which serves as the operating partner for the Yadana gas field and pipeline.
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