Mizzima News – The United States has formally extended sanctions against military-ruled Burma for another one year, despite its policy of engaging the regime.
US President Barack Obama on Friday informed Congress of the decision to renew the sanctions, saying “the actions and policies of the Government of Burma continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States”.
US began imposing sanctions against Burma since 1997, and it has modified and extended them yearly in opposition to the Burmese junta’s lack of democratic reforms and for its large-scale repression of opposition and ethnic groups.
Obama said the crisis between the US and Burma that resulted in the imposition of sanctions had not been resolved and therefore Burma’s actions and policies were hostile to US interests.
“For this reason, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency with respect to Burma and maintain in force the sanctions against Burma to respond to this threat,” Obama said.
The United States has been one of the strongest critics against Burma’s military regime and had isolated it from diplomatic relations until the Obama administration last year announced an engagement policy, while maintaining existing sanctions.
This week, US assistant secretary for East Asian and Pacific affairs, Kurt Campbell, visited Burma on a two-day trip, and met leaders of the junta, detained opposition leader and Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, and members of her National League for Democracy party.
US has strongly criticised the regime for its planned general elections later this year, as it failed to include Aung San Suu Kyi and her party from participating.
