• Burmese
Sunday, December 3, 2023
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
30 °c
Yangon
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Features
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Features
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
No Result
View All Result
The Irrawaddy
No Result
View All Result
Home News Burma

Lifting Burma Import Ban Close: US Official

by Lalit K Jha
September 26, 2012
in Uncategorized
Reading Time: 3 mins read
A A
Lifting Burma Import Ban Close: US Official

Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell. (Photo: US State Dept)

3.2k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The United States is considering lifting the Burma import embargo, a structured bilateral dialogue, ramping up investment in the former pariah nation and starting a military relationship, a senior White House official revealed on Tuesday.

At the same time, the US would continue to press the Burmese government on several issues of concern including human rights violations, remaining political prisoners and ongoing ethnic conflicts, said the Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell.

RelatedPosts

Operation 1027 Will Not End Until Myanmar’s Junta is Removed, Ethnic Army Says

Operation 1027 Will Not End Until Myanmar’s Junta is Removed, Ethnic Army Says

December 2, 2023
11.4k
ASEAN Urged to Stop Calling For ‘Inclusive Talks’ Between Myanmar Junta and Its Victims

ASEAN Urged to Stop Calling For ‘Inclusive Talks’ Between Myanmar Junta and Its Victims

December 2, 2023
2.7k
Myanmar’s Junta Faces an Increase in Resistance Attacks in Yangon, Reports Say

Myanmar’s Junta Faces an Increase in Resistance Attacks in Yangon, Reports Say

December 1, 2023
5.4k

The US was close to lifting remaining trade restrictions on Burma in line with Aung San Suu Kyi’s recent endorsement of easing sanctions, Campbell told a day-long conference on Burma organized by prominent Washington-based think-tank the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

“You all know that we saw some substantial progress in the immediate aftermath of Aung San Suu Kyi being here last week,” he said. “So Congress responded to her calls in that regard, and I think we’ll be working closely with Capitol Hill on next steps.

“She also indicated that a lifting of the import embargo would be an important sign that certain kinds of investment and manufacturing and other kinds of activities inside the country would be welcomed by the United States and supported, and I think we’ve heard that message very clearly.”

On the eve of the crucial meeting between Burmese President Thein Sein and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, Campbell noted that it might be very early days for the American business community.

“I think there are a number of exciting opportunities in that regard, but it will be hard and challenging,” he said. “That is one of the issues that we’re going to talk about tomorrow when the secretary meets with the [Burmese] president. We have some specific initiatives. [Thein Sein] is extremely interested in what we can do to encourage that next phase of our engagement.”

Campbell identified the ethnic conflict as one of the “thorniest, most challenging” set of issues that confronts the military-dominated nation. “That really touches every part of the country, every aspect of life inside Burma today,” he said.

“And I will tell you that in the past, when we have touched on these issues in discussions both with opposition leaders and with government officials, it’s been extraordinarily difficult, and very opposed to outside interference or engagement in those matters,” explained Campbell, while adding the US would support any effort in this regard.

Campbell indicated that the United States would now support Burmese efforts towards international financial institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

“What will be absolutely essential is for the international financial institutions and the multilateral development banks to work on appropriate programs for health, for education, for other aspects of infrastructure inside the country that some aspects of business investment just won’t initially touch,” he said.

“We will work appropriately on these efforts; again, more to come very shortly. We have in mind a few ambitious ideas of how we can help bring together other partners and to apply leverage support as we go forward.”

Campbell said vital to give structure to US-Burma interactions. “It’s time for more formalized bilateral dialogues, other kinds of engagements,” he said. “It will be critical for us to engage with key components inside the government. We think having a dialogue on foreign policy issues with the key players inside the executive branch makes enormous good sense, and we’re moving in that direction.”

The US is now also exploring the possibility of engaging with the Burmese military, one of the most important pillars of the state. “One of the institutions that has largely been left out of the engagement has been the military, and they play a critical role still inside the country,” said Campbell. “A lot of uncertainties about what their attitudes are to reform, and particularly what their role is in the prosecution of existing violence still on the ground, terrible violence in the ethnic areas.

“I think it’s going to be important that we engage responsibly with them,” he added. “But before we do so, we need to have the kind of dialogue with Capitol Hill, with key interlocutors, to make sure that we do not extend beyond what is defensible, what I think is appropriate for our national interests. And I think we’re beginning those discussions on Capitol Hill.”

Your Thoughts …
Previous Post

Suu Kyi Tells US Exiles to Look Back to Burma

Next Post

Thai Goods to Go on Show in Burma

Lalit K Jha

Lalit K Jha

Similar Picks:

Exodus: Tens of Thousands Flee as Myanmar Junta Troops Face Last Stand in Kokang

Exodus: Tens of Thousands Flee as Myanmar Junta Troops Face Last Stand in Kokang

November 28, 2023
78.2k
Another Entire Junta Battalion Raises the White Flag in Myanmar’s Northern Shan State

Another Entire Junta Battalion Raises the White Flag in Myanmar’s Northern Shan State

November 29, 2023
70.4k
Drone Attack at Myanmar-China Border Gate Causes Over $14m in Losses

Drone Attack at Myanmar-China Border Gate Causes Over $14m in Losses

November 27, 2023
29.6k
Brotherhood Alliance Marching Towards Capital of Myanmar’s Kokang Region

Brotherhood Alliance Marching Towards Capital of Myanmar’s Kokang Region

November 25, 2023
27k
General Close to Myanmar Junta Boss Placed Under House Arrest, Interrogated for Corruption

General Close to Myanmar Junta Boss Placed Under House Arrest, Interrogated for Corruption

September 14, 2023
23.5k
Myanmar’s Civilian Government Takes Control of Seized Funds

Myanmar’s Civilian Government Takes Control of Seized Funds

December 1, 2023
22.2k
Load More
Next Post

Thai Goods to Go on Show in Burma

Thais Gets Long Sentences in Burma for Drug, Gun Possession

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

Operation 1027 Will Not End Until Myanmar’s Junta is Removed, Ethnic Army Says

Operation 1027 Will Not End Until Myanmar’s Junta is Removed, Ethnic Army Says

24 hours ago
11.4k
As Myanmar’s Junta Loses Control, Its Coup Leader Ratchets Up His Blame Game

As Myanmar’s Junta Loses Control, Its Coup Leader Ratchets Up His Blame Game

2 days ago
5.6k

Most Read

  • Operation 1027 Will Not End Until Myanmar’s Junta is Removed, Ethnic Army Says

    Operation 1027 Will Not End Until Myanmar’s Junta is Removed, Ethnic Army Says

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar’s Civilian Government Takes Control of Seized Funds

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • ASEAN Urged to Stop Calling For ‘Inclusive Talks’ Between Myanmar Junta and Its Victims

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • As Myanmar’s Junta Loses Control, Its Coup Leader Ratchets Up His Blame Game

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Charting the Shifting Power Balance on Myanmar’s Battlefields 

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter

Get The Irrawaddy’s latest news, analyses and opinion pieces on Myanmar in your inbox.

Subscribe here for daily updates.

Contents

  • News
  • Politics
  • War Against the Junta
  • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
  • Conflicts In Numbers
  • Junta Crony
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Asia
  • World
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Election 2020
  • Elections in History
  • Cartoons
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Guest Column
  • Analysis
  • Letters
  • In Person
  • Interview
  • Profile
  • Dateline
  • Specials
  • Myanmar Diary
  • Women & Gender
  • Places in History
  • On This Day
  • From the Archive
  • Myanmar & COVID-19
  • Intelligence
  • Myanmar-China Watch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Fashion & Design
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Photo Essay
  • Donation

About The Irrawaddy

Founded in 1993 by a group of Myanmar journalists living in exile in Thailand, The Irrawaddy is a leading source of reliable news, information, and analysis on Burma/Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. From its inception, The Irrawaddy has been an independent news media group, unaffiliated with any political party, organization or government. We believe that media must be free and independent and we strive to preserve press freedom.

  • Copyright
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Team
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Burmese

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Letters
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Features
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Business Roundup
  • Donation

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.