Bush has new sanctions for Burma

AP/Washington Times:

President Bush today will announce additional sanctions against the military dictatorship in Burma to support the push for democracy in that Asian country, the White House said yesterday.

Mr. Bush, in a U.N. General Assembly speech, will announce financial sanctions against key members of the regime and those who provide them financial aid, said Stephen J. Hadley, the president's national security adviser.

The U.S. action comes amid a growing series of anti-government demonstrations in Burma, also known as Myanmar. As many as 100,000 protesters led by a phalanx of barefoot monks marched yesterday in the most powerful show of strength yet.

"It's very interesting what is happening in the country with the Buddhist monks who have joined this effort," Mr. Hadley said. "Our hope is to marry that internal pressure with the external pressure coming from the United States and the United Nations and really all countries that are committed to freedom to try to force the regime into a change."

Mr. Hadley would not be specific about the financial sanctions in order to maintain what he called an element of surprise against those who might try to hide their assets. But he said the measures would target key members of the regime and those who provide financial support to them.

He also said there would be a visa ban against those associated with the regime, including their families.

"He will call for the United Nations and for other countries there to do all they can to support a process of political change in Burma," Mr. Hadley said.

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It has been called the "saffron revolution" because of the color of the robes warn by the monks. When the US first went into Vietnam, Navy pilots wore orange jumpsuits so it would be easy to spot them if they had to ditch the plane in the water. The Buddhist monks objected to someone else where their colors so the Navy switched to tan.

The situation in Burma is still a long way from a general uprising. The desire is there and it could happen especially if the kook generals start killing monks. They are crazy enough to do that so this situation may not turn out well at all.