[7月25日] US Lawmakers Vote to Extend Sanctions Against Burma
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Washington
24 July 2008
U.S. lawmakers have been commenting on the situation in Burma as theU.S. Congress advanced legislation to strengthen and renew unilateralU.S. economic sanctions against the Burmese military government. Morefrom VOA's Dan Robinson on Capitol Hill.
The House ofRepresentatives voted to extend U.S. trade sanctions against Burma'smilitary government for one year, as companion legislation moved aheadin a Senate committee.
Sanctions prohibiting U.S. imports fromBurma were first put into place in 2003, as a U.S. response to therefusal of Burma's military go restore democracy and improve humanrights conditions.
In Wednesday's floor debate, Democrats andRepublicans rose to support the extension, citing the Burmesemilitary's use of force against democracy demonstrators last year, andits initial blocking of international relief aid for cyclone victims.
"Whilethere can be concerns about the universal effectiveness of unilateralsanctions, Burma clearly presents a unique situation. There isoverwhelming evidence that Burma continues to blatantly disregard HR(human rights) and suppress democracy and it is therefore important tocontinue the important ban for another yearm" said Sander Levin, aMichigan Democrat.
Republican Wally Herger describes himself asa skeptic where sanctions are concerned, suggesting that the U.S.import ban does not appear to have pushed Burma's military towarddemocracy and greater respect for human rights.
Despite this, hesays U.S. sanctions must continue because the situation has beengetting worse rather than better. "That said, in light of the events ofthe past year I believe we have no choice but to continue thesesanctions, not only to remind Burma's leaders that their actions areinexcusable but also to communicate to the impoverished Burmese peoplethat we have not abandoned their cause," he said.
In additionto moving toward renewal of the U.S. import ban, Congress has acted onthe Burmese JADE Act, which closes a gap relating to gem stonesreaching the U.S from Burma through third countries.
Approved bythe Senate Tuesday after earlier House passage, that measure also makesmembers of Burma's ruling military government along with other militaryofficials and family members ineligible for U.S. visas.
