US President Biden announces sanctions against Myanmar's military leaders

 

WASHINGTON DC: The United States government has announced that it is going to freeze USD one billion in Myanmar Government funds held in the United States.

 

Newly-elected President Joe Biden said that the US is announcing a series of actions to impose consequences on the leaders of the Myanmar coup. "I have already signed a new executive order to sanction against the military leaders who directed the coup and their close family members," he said.

 

Biden said that the first round of targets will be identified this week.

 

He said that strong export controls will be imposed but the support for health care, civil society groups and other areas benefiting people will be continued.

 

He called upon the military to immediately release the political leaders and activists, relinquish power and respect the will of the people.

 

Meanwhile military government in Myanmar has stepped up actions against leaders of the Aung San Suu Kyi-led National League for Democracy (NLD).

 

A close aide to the ousted State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, Kyaw Tint Swe was arrested by the Army yesterday.

 

He had served as the Minister for the Office of the State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi.

 

An official of the NLD has said that four other people linked to the previous government were also picked up from their homes last night.

 

Meanwhile, protests continued for the sixth consecutive day today as workers came out on the streets of Naypyitaw in support of the Civil Disobedience Movement against the Myanmar military government.

 

At some places, bank employees and ethnic groups are also reported to have come out protesting against the military government.