Washington
The US has announced additional sanctions against business interests
in Myanmar that support that country's military regime, citing the
Southeast Asian nation's continued repression and jailing of
democratic activists.
The US Treasury Monday placed economic sanctions on Steven Law, his
father, Lo Hsing Han, and his wife, Cecilia Ng, as well as various
companies in which they are involved, calling them "key financial
operatives of the Burmese regime".
It also placed additional sanctions on the business network of Tay
Za, a business tycoon and arms dealer who it has previously
sanctioned for his ties to the regime.
US President George W. Bush said the situation in Myanmar was
"deplorable" and called for democracy in the nation that saw its
government crack down on Buddhist monks and pro-democracy
demonstrators last September.
"As one element of our policy to promote a genuine democratic
transition, the US maintains targeted sanctions that focus on the
assets of regime members and their cronies who grow rich while
Burma's people suffer under their misrule," Bush said in a
statement.
The department said Asia World Co Ltd, which Law runs, and its
subsidiaries have provided support to the junta by receiving
contracts for building ports, highways and government facilities. It
also noted Lo Hsing Han's ties to heroin trafficking since the
1960s.
Tay Za's hotel chain's Aureum Palace Hotels & Resorts and Myanmar
Treasure Resorts were also singled out.
The move freezes assets held by the parties in US jurisdiction and
prohibits US citizens from engaging in business with them.
The White House insisted the regime release Aung San Suu Kyi, the
leading democratic activist and 1991 Nobel peace winner who has been
held under house arrest in Yangon since 2003, and other
pro-democracy advocates, and end military offensives and human
rights abuses against minorities.
The sanctions announced Monday add to the 33 people and 11 companies
already placed under such measures since last year. Additionally,
visa restrictions have been placed on nearly 900 officials and their
families, the White House said.
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