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UK threatens tighter sanctions against Burma
Irrawaddy - June 25, 2009
Arkar Moe – British Prime Minister Gordon Brown reiterated on Wednesday that his government would tighten sanctions against Burma and condemned the Burmese military junta's actions as completely unacceptable.
A Dow Jones Newswire report quoted Brown as saying: "At the last meeting of the European Council we sent a very powerful message that unless action is taken in Burma to free Aung San Suu Kyi, then we are prepared to take further sanctions against the regime."
Soe Aung, a spokesman for the Forum for Democracy in Burma, told The Irrawaddy on Thursday that: "The United Kingdom (UK) can tighten insurance regulations in its powerful insurance industry. Companies operating in Burma must take out insurance via third-party countries like Thailand and Singapore. If the UK put stricter controls on getting insurance, countries which provide insurance for operations in Burma would be seriously affected and would exert more pressure on Burma."
The European Union agreed to step up sanctions on Burma and released a statement on Friday after a two-day EU summit in Brussels.
In the 64-word statement issued on Suu Kyi's 64th birthday, the EU said: "The European Council calls for the immediate unconditional release of Aung San Suu Kyi, who has tirelessly defended the universal values of freedom and democracy."
"We urge [Burma] to embark on a genuine transition to democracy bringing peace and prosperity to its people," the EU statement said.
At a press conference after the EU summit, Brown said, "That means we are prepared to look at further sanctions." Brown called for an end to Suu Kyi's "absurd and contemptible sham trial," and for her immediate and unconditional release.
Brown also expressed the hope that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon would visit Burma soon.
Suu Kyi is being held on charges of violating her house arrest after an American man swam to her lakeside house.
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