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DIPLOMACY: Obama lifts some sanctions against Burma to encourage reform

 

AFP - Washington has decided to lift some restrictions on investment in Burma to encourage reform, but as part of U.S. sanctions against the country remains in place for now.

"We will allow certain types of investment in financial services to enable companies to do business in Burma," he said Thursday at a senior U.S. official told AFP, while stressing that Washington would continue to impose sanctions on persons associated with the former junta.

"This is a recognition of the progress (made), it is a recognition

the fact that opening the door to more trade between our two countries is important to support the reformers, "the official said on condition of anonymity. 

Earlier Thursday, President Barack Obama said it had extended for one year or the legal sanctions against Burma by emphasizing that the reforms were still in e tat "embryonic".

"The Burmese government has made progress in many areas, including the release of hundreds of political prisoners, the fact to discuss cease-fire with several armed ethnic groups as well as the main opposition group in favor of democracy, "noted Mr. Obama.

"The United States is committed to supporting the reform efforts undertaken by Burma, but the situation in Burma continues to represent an unusual and extraordinary threat to national security and foreign policy of the United States, "added Mr. Obama, employing the expression used to justify the situation "national emergency", prior to legal sanctions.

"Burma has made significant progress, but political openness is embryonic, and we continue to be worried, especially about the political prisoners who remain, ongoing conflicts, and serious violations of human rights "vis-à-vis certain ethnic groups, further stated the President.

According to the official cited above, the U.S. wants to maintain the general framework of these sanctions to encourage reform, and to act quickly in case of "coaster" of the Burmese government. 

Wednesday, the Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi had expressed willingness to accept a suspension of sanctions against his country but warned that the political changes and the signs of openness of the plan e taient not "irreversible". She was advised to "proceed with caution" and warned against excessive optimism.

Monday, Senator John McCain had hoped that the United States temporarily freeze most sanctions imposed on Burma as some countries have already done and as others are considering do.

The government that succeeded the junta in March 2011 but remains controlled by the military has stepped up and helped open signs of progress on human rights and democracy.

One sign of this opening was the election of the parliament of Ms. Suu Kyi, who had been placed for many years under house arrest.