[Myanmar] Lifting US Sanctions On Myanmar To Take Time, Senator Says

Lifting US sanctions on Myanmar to take time, senator says

Supalak Ganjanakhundee

The Nation

MYANMAR: -- Despite the dramatic political changes sweeping over Myanmar during the past months, the United States' sanctions cannot be lifted quickly, US Senator Jim Webb said yesterday.

"The sanctions on Burma are very complicated. They are more complicated than what we had with Vietnam when we opened up trade with Vietnam," Webb said in Bangkok upon his arrival from Myanmar.

Withdrawing the sanctions, which have been in place for decades, against the former military-ruled country involve at least two laws and some executive orders, he said.

However, as Myanmar has made a strong commitment to reform and undertaken some remarkable changes, Washington has an obligation to reward the government, he said.

In Myanmar, he met with key figures including President Thein Sein, politicians, media representatives and ethnic groups who expressed positive views on the reform process.

He also had a chance to observe peace negotiations between the government and the Karen National Union.

As chairman of the Senate subcommittee on East Asia, he will call major discussions with officials in the US Congress and the administration of President Barack Obama to take some action to support reform in Myanmar.

"Lifting certain sanctions [could take place] as long as there are guarantees that we are continuing to see positive improvement in the political system, positive things that would be good for the country," he said.

"It is the time for us to move forward in order to reward the positive actions of the government and encourage further actions."

As for timing, he expects the sanctions to be revoked in this congressional session. "I'll have a better idea when I return with positive comments on the matter."

Lifting sanctions against Myanmar in fact is an ongoing process. US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said last week that Washington would allow selected Myanmar officials to visit and ease restrictions on the export of financial services. But sanctions against people and institutions in Myanmar that try to thwart democratic progress would remain, she added.

-- The Nation 2012-04-12