US To Continue Dialogue With Myanmar Junta; Sanctions To Remain

(RTTNews) - The U.S. government has said it will continue to hold political dialogue with Myanmar's military regime despite "regrettable" new election laws, but vowed that sanctions would remain in place.

In July last year, the United States extended sanctions on Myanmar junta and renewed ban on all imports from that South East Asian country.

The ban includes import of jade and other gems from Myanmar for three years. It also confirms a ban on U.S. sales of Myanmar's gems.

Speaking on a visit to Thailand Friday, Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said the U.S. was "very disappointed and concerned" by the new laws.

He expressed dissatisfaction over the enactment of the new set of laws as it "doesn't leave much room for a dialogue" with Myanmar's rulers in a bid to promote democratic ideas.

Myanmar's military government published this week five long-awaited election laws it passed recently, setting the stage for polls it pledged to hold later this year.

It prevents detained Opposition pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi any political affiliation in a party and bans her from contesting elections.
The U.S. State Department denounced the new set of laws Thursday, saying that it had made a mockery of the democratic process.

Both the United States and the United Nations have accused the country of committing a "gross and systematic violation of human rights."

In a report to be presented to the U.N. on Monday, its special Rapporteur on Human Rights Tomas Ojea Quintana said "far too many" people in that country were denied access to basic food, shelter, health and education.

The report contained severe criticism of the Myanmarese authorities.

In its 2009 Annual Report on Human Rights released Thursday, the U.S. State Department cited "egregious" abuses in Myanmar.

It slammed the military junta for continuing to imprison and abuse the rights of its political opponents, besides scaling up military attacks in ethnic minority regions, such as Karen and Shan states.

by RTT Staff Writer

Source :http://www.rttnews.com/Content/GeneralNews.aspx?Node=B1&Id=1239179