Bush Imposes New Sanctions On Myanmar

WASHINGTON, Oct. 19 — President Bush imposed new financial sanctions against Myanmar on Friday, freezing the United States assets of 11 additional members of the military government that brutally cracked down on pro-democracy demonstrators late last month.

The new sanctions also included restrictions against a dozen other individuals and entities associated with the regime, which has failed to end its repression of the opposition despite condemnation of its use of troops against demonstrators, Mr. Bush said.

But in a sign of how limited Washington’s leverage is against the government of Myanmar, long the target of American sanctions, Mr. Bush called pointedly on India, China and its other neighbors to intensify their pressure on the regime.

“Burma’s rulers continue to defy the world’s just demands to stop their vicious persecution.” he said, using the country’s former name. “The people of Burma are showing great courage in the face of immense repression. They are appealing for our help. We must not turn a deaf ear to their cries.”

The White House move followed weeks of mostly unsuccessful international pressure on Myanmar’s government to open a dialogue with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the detained pro-democracy advocate.

The sanctions are the second set that Mr. Bush has imposed on Myanmar since security forces clubbed and shot at demonstrators, raided monasteries and arrested Buddhist monks who led the protests. The uprising began in August, when the government doubled some fuel prices. The official news media said 10 people died, though outside experts said the toll was probably far higher.

Among the 14 officials whose assets in the United States were frozen in the initial sanctions were the junta leader, Senior Gen. Than Shwe, and Deputy Senior Gen. Maung Aye, the No. 2 leader. Those singled out on Friday include the ministers of finance, commerce, construction, industry, science and technology, electric power and health.

The White House said the Commerce Department would also tighten controls to prevent the export of computers and other goods with military uses to Myanmar. Mr. Bush also signed an executive order allowing the Treasury Department to freeze assets of “individuals and entities who provide material or financial support to designated individuals or to the government of Burma.”

Five Myanmar business executives and seven companies were hit with sanctions on Friday under that authority.

Mr. Bush applauded the European Union, Australia, Japan, Singapore, the Philippines and Indonesia for taking steps against Myanmar or condemning the crackdown. But administration officials said that persuading China and Myanmar’s other major economic partners to cut off lending, investment and trade was vital to putting effective pressure on the regime.

The European Union said this week that it planned to tighten its existing embargo on arms sales and visa restrictions, and may extend a ban on imports from Myanmar as well as block new investment there.

Laura Bush, who joined Mr. Bush at the announcements, has been one of the administration’s most forceful critics of the junta.

Mr. Bush called on the regime to give humanitarian groups access to political prisoners and to let Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi communicate with other pro-democracy leaders. He added that Ibrahim Gambari, the United Nations envoy to Myanmar, should be provided access to the country.

Economic sanctions were first imposed in 1997 by the Clinton administration.

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