Obama lifts economic sanctions on Myanmar

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Obama lifts US economic sanctions on Myanmar

October 8, 2016

Washington- The United States President has ordered economic sanctions imposed on Myanmar be lifted due to the reforms undertaken in the Asian country, as well as to complete the historic thaw between the two nations.

Barack Obama issued an executive order to end the national emergency declared in 1997, which was the basis for imposing economic sanctions on Myanmar. The warming of relations, kicked off when Obama came to power and is considered part of his foreign policy legacy, started with the gradual easing of restrictions on that country and restoring trade benefits last month.

"I have determined that the situation that gave rise to the national emergency ... has been significantly altered by Burma’s (Myanmar’s) substantial advances to promote democracy, including historic elections in November 2015," Obama said in a letter to leaders of Congress. He also noted "the release of many political prisoners; and greater enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms".

Obama launched his rapprochement with Myanmar in 2011 after 20 years of tension, and expressed his wish to work diplomatically to obtain better treatment for the opposition in that country, governed by army generals from 1962 until just five years ago.

The president has, however, refused to raise sanctions on members and allies of the old military junta, partly because the country’s transition has not yet been completed and partly out of continuing concern about their respect for human rights.

In mid-September, Obama welcomed to the White House the de facto head of the Myanmar government and the Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, and had announced the plan to lift sanctions on Myanmar.

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