Washington, Sep 28 (DPA) The US has imposed sanctions against 14 top officials in Myanmar’s ruling military regime for the violent crackdown against democratic activists.
The US Treasury Department Thursday placed the sanctions on the chief of the ruling State Peace and Development Council, Senior General Than Shwe, who also serves as defence minister and effectively rules the junta.
The sanctions freeze any assets and prohibit Americans and US companies from having business transactions with Shwe and the 13 others, including Lieutenant General Thein Sein, the acting prime minister, and Vice Senior General Maung Aye, the commander of the army.
The second day of violent clashes Thursday between security forces and monks and democracy activists have left at least nine people dead, and prompted strong international condemnation against the ruling junta.
US President George W. Bush announced the plans to place sanctions on the regime during a UN address in New York Tuesday.
Bush earlier Thursday appealed to Myanmar’s security forces to reject the use of violence against the pro-democracy demonstrators challenging the repressive military regime.
“I urge the Burmese soldiers and police not to use force on their fellow citizens,” Bush said in a statement.
The European Union has also begun considering sanctions.
“The world is watching the people of Burma take to the streets to demand their freedom, and the American people stand in solidarity with these brave individuals,” Bush said.
The unrest throughout the country followed more than a week of demonstrations throughout Myanmar.
“Every civilised nation has a responsibility to stand up for people suffering under a brutal military regime like the one that has ruled Burma for too long,” Bush said.
Bush called on countries in the region to pressure the Myanmar regime to end the violence against the peaceful protestors.
The US government has had sanctions on Myanmar to limit textile exports since 2003 following a crackdown against democratic activists and the jailing of Nobel Peace Prize laureate and pro-democracy leader Aung Sang Suu Kyi, who remains in detention.