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| US to ease economic sanctions on Burma in response to reforms | US to ease economic sanctions on Burma in response to reforms |
| (7 months later) | |
| The United States is to ease its import ban on Burma, lifting a key plank of the remaining economic sanctions on the state. | The United States is to ease its import ban on Burma, lifting a key plank of the remaining economic sanctions on the state. |
| Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, said the restrictions would be eased in response to reform efforts in Burma, also known as Myanmar. | Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, said the restrictions would be eased in response to reform efforts in Burma, also known as Myanmar. |
| "In recognition of the continued progress toward reform and in response to requests from both the government and the opposition, the United States is taking the next step in normalizing our commercial relationship," Clinton said during a meeting with president Thein Sein on the sidelines of the UN general Assembly. | "In recognition of the continued progress toward reform and in response to requests from both the government and the opposition, the United States is taking the next step in normalizing our commercial relationship," Clinton said during a meeting with president Thein Sein on the sidelines of the UN general Assembly. |
| "We will begin the progress of easing restrictions on imports of Burmese goods into the United States," Clinton said. "We hope this will provide more opportunities for your people to sell their goods into our market." | "We will begin the progress of easing restrictions on imports of Burmese goods into the United States," Clinton said. "We hope this will provide more opportunities for your people to sell their goods into our market." |
| The announcement follows the Obama administration's resumption of normal diplomatic relations and the suspension of a US investment ban. | The announcement follows the Obama administration's resumption of normal diplomatic relations and the suspension of a US investment ban. |
| "We are very grateful for the actions of the United States," Thein Sein said. | "We are very grateful for the actions of the United States," Thein Sein said. |
| Wednesday's third ever face-to-face between Clinton and Thein Sein was warm, a State Department official said. It began with the Burmese leader handing Clinton a letter to president Barack Obama. | Wednesday's third ever face-to-face between Clinton and Thein Sein was warm, a State Department official said. It began with the Burmese leader handing Clinton a letter to president Barack Obama. |
| Clinton offered US help in Burma's efforts for peace with its different ethnic minorities and in clearing mines from the country. She urged the end of Burma's military relations with North Korea. | Clinton offered US help in Burma's efforts for peace with its different ethnic minorities and in clearing mines from the country. She urged the end of Burma's military relations with North Korea. |
| Even before the import ban was adopted more than a decade ago, US imports from Burma were small. Some trade existed in hardwood, gems and garments, the official said. As the sanctions are now eased, specific companies will still be subject to US sanctions so that increased trade doesn't reward corruption or poor ethical standards. | Even before the import ban was adopted more than a decade ago, US imports from Burma were small. Some trade existed in hardwood, gems and garments, the official said. As the sanctions are now eased, specific companies will still be subject to US sanctions so that increased trade doesn't reward corruption or poor ethical standards. |
| Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who is on a landmark US visit that coincides with the president's visit, last week voiced support for the step, saying Burma should not depend on the US to keep up its momentum for democracy. For years she advocated sanctions as a way of putting political pressure on the then-ruling junta. | Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who is on a landmark US visit that coincides with the president's visit, last week voiced support for the step, saying Burma should not depend on the US to keep up its momentum for democracy. For years she advocated sanctions as a way of putting political pressure on the then-ruling junta. |
| The Burma opposition leader is revered by both Republicans and Democrats in Washington, and her endorsement is a key guide for US policymakers. | The Burma opposition leader is revered by both Republicans and Democrats in Washington, and her endorsement is a key guide for US policymakers. |
| In August, Congress renewed sanctions legislation, but allowing Obama to waive its provisions. Wednesday's announcement on the import ban begins that process. Easing the ban also requires the issuance of a Treasury license. | In August, Congress renewed sanctions legislation, but allowing Obama to waive its provisions. Wednesday's announcement on the import ban begins that process. Easing the ban also requires the issuance of a Treasury license. |
| "We will continue consulting with Congress and other relevant stakeholders about additional steps, while at the same time working with you and supporting those who are hoping that the reform will be permanent and the progress will continue," Clinton said. | "We will continue consulting with Congress and other relevant stakeholders about additional steps, while at the same time working with you and supporting those who are hoping that the reform will be permanent and the progress will continue," Clinton said. |
| The Obama administration has been at pains to not let Nobel winner Suu Kyi's high-profile US trip overshadow Thein Sein, who still faces opposition within Myanmar's military to political reform. | The Obama administration has been at pains to not let Nobel winner Suu Kyi's high-profile US trip overshadow Thein Sein, who still faces opposition within Myanmar's military to political reform. |
| The Burma president is due to address the General Assembly on Thursday, and he is not expected to cross paths with Suu Kyi, who is scheduled to leave New York late Wednesday. | The Burma president is due to address the General Assembly on Thursday, and he is not expected to cross paths with Suu Kyi, who is scheduled to leave New York late Wednesday. |
| On Wednesday, Suu Kyi addressed a high-level UN meeting on education on the sidelines of the general assembly. | On Wednesday, Suu Kyi addressed a high-level UN meeting on education on the sidelines of the general assembly. |
| In Washington last week, she met privately with President Barack Obama and was presented with Congress' highest award, cementing her remarkable transition from dissident to globe-trotting stateswoman. | In Washington last week, she met privately with President Barack Obama and was presented with Congress' highest award, cementing her remarkable transition from dissident to globe-trotting stateswoman. |
| Congress has also initiated legislation that would allow the US to provide financial aid to impoverished Burma, through international financial institutions like the World Bank. | Congress has also initiated legislation that would allow the US to provide financial aid to impoverished Burma, through international financial institutions like the World Bank. |
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