US imposes tighter Sanctions on Junta, Crackdown Continues

***The 11 ONLINE PETITIONS FOR BURMA HERE.***
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As the crackdown continues, President Bush has added 11 more junta officials and 12 business cronies to the US Treasury's sanctions list. Any of their assets in US jurisdiction will be frozen, and a visa ban will be imposed as well. This is a welcome addition to the roll of 14 top junta leaders and 260 Burmese officials and their families already on the sanction list.

On Thursday, US Representative Tom Lantos, chairman of the House Foreign Relations Committee, introduced the Block Burmese JADE Act in the House of Representatives. If passed, it would prevent Burmese gemstones bound for US markets to be laundered through third countries.

Despite sanctions by the EU, US, Australia, and Japan, the junta has continued its pursuit of suspected dissidents. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma), five people connected with the 88 Generation were arrested early yesterday morning in a house raid.

The full article, "Continues Crackdown as US Applies Sanctions" HERE.
"Bush Applies More Sanctions on Junta Leaders, Cronies" HERE.