EU toughens sanctions on Burma

The EU today agreed to expand sanctions against Burma’s military regime in protest at the crackdown against pro-democracy demonstrators.Diplomats said extra sanctions would include an expanded visa ban for members of the military junta, as well as expanded import bans on such products as timber and gemstones. The new measures will be given a final approval by EU foreign ministers in a fortnight. National envoys to the EU also agreed to back new diplomatic efforts at the United Nations to push the junta into talks with pro-democracy groups.

A panel of EU experts is to determine the details of the new measures before EU foreign ministers meet on October 15 in Luxembourg. As part of new economic measures, the EU said it would expand an investment ban and block more trade in metals, wood and precious stones, like rubies and sapphires. The new measures do not include a specific ban on European oil and gas companies from doing business in Burma, diplomats said. Any new sanctions would add to EU diplomatic and economic measures already in place against Burma over its lack of political reforms and its poor human rights record. Sanctions were first imposed in 1996 and include a ban on travel to Europe for senior government officials, an asset freeze and a ban on arms sales to Burma.