The United States government lifted a visa ban on Thursday on
former Myanmar's military officials, their business partners, and
immediate families to support reforms in the country.
The US State of Department said the travel restriction which was
first imposed in 1996, has been terminated but visa and investment bans
on individuals accused of human rights abuses will still be retained.
"Since 2011, the civilian-led Government of Myanmar has taken
important steps toward significant social, political, and economic
reform that demonstrate substantial progress on areas of concern," the
statement said.
Although travel restrictions have been removed, the officials that
were formerly in the banned list will still have to go under scrutiny
for their visas, the statement added.
The termination was announced on the same day when President Barack
Obama extended the National Emergency Act against Myanmar for another
year, prohibiting U.S. businesses and individuals from investing or
doing business with Myanmar figures involved in repression of the
democracy movement since the mid-1990s, Reuters reported.
“The USA is committed to supporting and strengthening Myanmar’s
reform efforts to ensure that the democratic transition becomes
irreversible. For this reason, I have determined that it is necessary to
continue the national emergency with respect to Burma,” Obama said in
letter to Congress.
Last month, the European Union lifted most of its sanctions against
Myanmar, except for arms embargoes in response to political reforms
implemented by President Thein Sein since he took office in 2010.
source: Asian Tribune
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