UNITED STATES NEWS

US eases sanctions for Myanmar nonprofit work

Apr 17, 2012, 5:05 PM

Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) – The United States on Tuesday eased financial sanctions on Myanmar to enable private U.S.-based groups to do charity work in the impoverished country.

The announcement by the Treasury Department is the first of a series of rewards from Washington in response to the military-dominated country holding by-elections this month that were swept by the opposition party of Aung San Suu Kyi.

The changes are intended to support development and humanitarian assistance. Five decades of military rule turned what was once among the most prosperous nations in Southeast Asia into its poorest.

Treasury eased restrictions on financial transactions in support of private groups working on areas such as democracy-building, health and education, sport and religious activities.

Over the past three years, the Obama administration shifted from the long-standing U.S. policy of isolating Myanmar, and has said it will “meet action with action” _ gradually easing sanctions to reciprocate the government’s reforms.

The U.S. also plans to send a full ambassador for the first time in more than two decades, and to ease restrictions on American investment and the export of other financial services. The U.S. retains tough trade sanctions.

Other Western nations are taking similar steps.

Australia on Monday said it will lift financial and travel restrictions for more than 260 people in Myanmar, including President Thein Sein, but will keep its arms embargo and sanctions against around 130 other people, including military officials.

Next week the European Union is expected to discuss suspending its economic sanctions. Such a step by the EU would put pressure on the U.S. to do likewise, for competitive business reasons.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington-based think tank, said the U.S. is likely to ease investment restrictions in sectors such as tourism, agriculture, telecommunications and banking. But it would retain bans on sectors such as natural resources and precious stones perceived to be closed linked to the military. Oil, natural gas and timber are key money earners for the country, also known as Burma.

Lifting sanctions entirely will be contingent on the government consolidating the reforms. The military is still the dominant political force in the country and severe rights abuses are still reported in ethnic minority regions. Despite the release of hundreds of political prisoners in recent months, others remain in detention.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

United States News

Associated Press

Parents will stand trial in 2021 Michigan school shooting that killed 4 students

DETROIT (AP) — The Michigan Supreme Court turned down an appeal Tuesday, clearing the way for the parents of the Oxford High School shooter to face trial on involuntary manslaughter charges. James and Jennifer Crumbley are accused of making a gun available to Ethan Crumbley and ignoring his mental health needs. The state appeals court […]

1 hour ago

Associated Press

Juvenile shoots, injures 2 children following altercation at Pop Warner football practice in Florida

APOPKA, Fla. (AP) — A juvenile retrieved a gun from a vehicle and shot two other young people following an altercation that began during a Pop Warner football practice in central Florida, police said. The juvenile fired one shot on Monday night, hitting one child in the arm and the other in the torso, Apopka […]

1 hour ago

FILE - President Joe Biden speaks about his administration's plans to lower prescription drug costs...

Associated Press

All 10 drugs targeted for Medicare price negotiations will participate, the White House says

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration said Tuesday that the manufacturers of all of the first 10 prescription drugs it selected for Medicare’s first price negotiations have agreed to participate, clearing the way for talks that could lower their costs in coming years and giving the White House a potential political win heading into next […]

2 hours ago

Associated Press

Federal judges to hear input on proposed new congressional lines in Alabama

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — A three-judge panel was preparing to approve new congressional districts for Alabama after ruling that state lawmakers flouted their finding the state should have a second district where Black voters are the majority of the electorate or close to it. The court will hear input Tuesday on three plans proposed by […]

2 hours ago

FILE - Students in the new Army prep course stand at attention after physical training exercises at...

Associated Press

The Army is launching a sweeping overhaul of its recruiting to reverse enlistment shortfalls

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Army is launching a sweeping overhaul of its recruiting to focus more on young people who have spent time in college or are job hunting early in their careers, as it scrambles to reverse years of enlistment shortfalls. A major part of this is the formation of a new professional force […]

3 hours ago

Associated Press

Stock market today: Unrelenting rise in Treasury yields drags Wall Street lower

Wall Street turned lower early Tuesday as pressure from rising bond yields continued to undercut stocks. Futures for the S&P 500 fell 0.5% before the bell Tuesday, while the Dow Jones industrials dipped 0.4%. After a sizzling first half of 2023, stocks have shed about 40% of their gains since the end of July amid […]

8 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

SCHWARTZ LASER EYE CENTER

Key dates for Arizona sports fans to look forward to this fall

Fall brings new beginnings in different ways for Arizona’s professional sports teams like the Cardinals and Coyotes.

...

DAY & NIGHT AIR CONDITIONING, HEATING AND PLUMBING

Importance of AC maintenance after Arizona’s excruciating heat wave

An air conditioning unit in Phoenix is vital to living a comfortable life inside, away from triple-digit heat.

Home moving relocation in Arizona 2023...

BMS Moving

Tips for making your move in Arizona easier

If you're moving to a new home in Arizona, use this to-do list to alleviate some stress and ensure a smoother transition to your new home.

US eases sanctions for Myanmar nonprofit work