US hits Burma ruling military council, sanctions 16 members, cabinet

Admin l Monday, May 17, 2021

 

WASHINGTON – The United States of America today took strong measures against the military in Burma, imposing sanctions on 16 officials of the military regime over continued violence and repression against the people of Burma in Mindat, Chin State as well as its failure to take step to restore democracy.

In a statement, Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State said the 16 members military regime’s State Administrative Council is being designated pursuant to Executive Order 14014.

“ Additionally, we are designating four members of the SAC, nine military-appointed cabinet members, and three adult children of previously designated military officials, pursuant to the same authority.  We make this announcement alongside the United Kingdom and Canada, which are taking their own steps to impose costs on the regime”, Blinken said.

According to him, as President Biden has stated, the United States will continue to promote accountability for those responsible for the coup.

“Our actions today underscore our resolve and that of our partners to apply political and financial pressure on the regime as long as it fails to stop violence and take meaningful action to respect the will of the people.

“We encourages all countries to consider imposing measures against the regime — including arms embargos, suspension of military sales, and termination of commercial cooperation with military-owned entities — to promote accountability and to prevent further violence”, he said

Blinken noted that in a recent communiqué, the United States and its G7 partners welcome the recent ASEAN five-point consensus plan and  strongly urge the military regime to immediately and unconditionally cooperate with ASEAN and the UN to implement this plan.

“ The United States further stands ready to lend our support to ASEAN and the UN efforts to initiate an inclusive political dialogue to end the crisis”, he said, stressing that unfortunately, the military regime has thus far refused to cooperate in a constructive manner and has made no attempt to restore Burma on the path to democracy, while continuing its brutal repression and violence against its people.