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US renews Myanmar ban

The US House of Representatives voted on Monday to renew a ban on all imports from military-ruled Myanmar as part of sanctions for repressing democratic opposition and for human rights abuses.

"Today's vote to renew US import restrictions on the military regime in Burma [Myanmar] sends a clear message that those fighting for democracy and human rights in Burma do not stand alone in their struggle," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said after lawmakers unanimously adopted a resolution on the ban.

An identical resolution was adopted 21-0 by the US Senate finance committee and sent to the full chamber for voting, expected within the next few days, Congressional aides said.

The House resolution came about two months after President George W. Bush renewed sanctions on Myanmar for another year. They prohibit new investments and exports of financial services and deny visas to top junta officials.

"As we renew our import sanctions, we aim both to pressure directly the military junta in Burma and to influence those in the international community who are currently asleep at the wheel of justice and human rights," said Tom Lantos, the Democratic head of the powerful House panel on foreign relations.

"Oppressive power can only be delegitimized when it is fully isolated," he said, regretting that "too many other nations -- India and China in particular -- continue to prop up the government through shockingly direct deals, including arms trading, with this cruel junta."

Democratic Senator Max Baucus, who chaired the Senate finance committee meeting on the import ban, said the sanctions could be "truly effective" if there were a "more coordinated effort with other countries."

Lawmakers called for the release of Myanmar's democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi -- a Nobel Peace prize laureate whose National League for Democracy (NLD) political party won 1990 elections but was never allowed to take office.

"The passage of this resolution shows that the American people will continue to stand with Aung San Suu Kyi and the freedom-seeking people of Burma in their just cause," Pelosi said.
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