Key senator to let Myanmar sanctions bill lapse

May 21, 2013 @ 1:24 pm


President Barack Obama gestures toward Myanmar's President Thein Sein during their meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Monday, May 20, 2013. Thein Sein is the first Myanmar president to be welcomed to the White House in almost 47 years. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) | Zoom

WASHINGTON (AP) - The top Senate Republican says he plans to let key sanctions legislation against Myanmar (mee-an-MAWR') lapse because of the country's progress toward democracy.

Sen. Mitch McConnell made the announcement Tuesday after meeting with Myanmar's president, Thein Sein (tayn sayn).

The office of the bill's co-sponsor, Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The legislation authorizes an import ban. It has been renewed annually since it was passed in 2003, but was among the broad economic sanctions, including a ban on U.S. investment, that was waived by President Barack Obama last year to reward Myanmar's shift from authoritarian rule.

McConnell said the administration has offered an olive branch to Myanmar's government, and it's time for Congress to do the same.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

Lawmakers are asking Myanmar President Thein Sein (tayn sayn) to free nearly 250 political prisoners.

Thein Sein met Tuesday with members of the Senate and House on Capitol Hill, a day after he became the first Myanmar leader to visit the White House in five decades.

As Myanmar has shifted from military rule in the past two years, it has freed hundreds of political detainees but others are still held.

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi and three other Democrats handed Thein Sein a prisoner list and called for an end to attacks on minorities.

President Barack Obama voiced strong support Monday for Thein Sein's leadership, but said violence against minority Muslims needs to stop.

Thein Sein also met with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to discuss political reform.


(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
More National News
Top Stories

  • One
    Microsoft calls its new Xbox 'truly intelligent TV'

  • Otherworldly
    Amazon has new plans for huge biospheres on its new campus

  • Nature's Reality Check
    We can conquer terrorism, cure cancer, but a tornado can remind us of our insecurity
MyNorthwest.com - Purpose of Comments statement
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.

Comments (5)


  • Add A Comment

  • rational wrote...
    Apparently there are no limits...
    January 13, 2012 7:21 pm
    To how bad a dictatorial regime one can be and still curry favor with the Obama regime. Tyrants of a feather apparently...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • longwayhome wrote...
    Another stupid republican
    January 13, 2012 8:36 pm
    Trying to downplay the importance of diplomacy vs. the republican war machine. Go ahead and blast the administration for trying to further the cause toward peace. This falls on deaf ears, I can tell. republicans want war, it's good for their economy. Ask any bush supporter that has stock in halliburton.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • rational wrote...
    longwayhome
    January 14, 2012 3:47 am
    If your directing your comments at me you have an epic fail...I am not, nor have I ever been a republican. About 35 years ago I was a democrat...left them and been independant ever since.

    Leave it to a progressive to see things in such simplistic black and white terms that the only alternative to thinking cozying up to dicators is war.

    As for Haliburton...Obama uses them too, I seem to recall he even gave them no bid contracts...must be because Obama has stock in Haliburton by leftist "logic".

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • longwayhome wrote...
    Rational
    January 14, 2012 6:26 pm
    I don't care about your political leanings, I do not trust the republican ideology. Not in tune with the environment, not in tune with the unemployed, not a clue what to do with the middle east, and the problems with Iran and Afghanistan are not on their agenda. What are Americans supposed to think about who to vote for? There is no choice but to retain Obama.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • rational wrote...
    longwayhome
    January 14, 2012 9:27 pm
    It might sound cynical, but as I see it, at least at some levels, there is no difference between democrats and republicans (hence my being an independent)...they are both far more interested in playing off the "your team vs my team" thing to pit Americans against each other while their real agenda is to just retain power so they can siphon money from the tax payers to their favored groups who will kick back money to them (which allows them to continue to fund their reelection campaigns).

    Democrats are even less in tune with the middle east and unemployment...I do think democrats have a better grasp on environment, in general...the global warming thing is one of the biggest scams ever created and far too many on the left have allowed themselves to be fooled in that regard.

    I honestly believe that another 4 years of Obama will end the nation...no hyperbole...so as much as I dislike the republican choices Obama must go.

    You know, after last election I had determined to refuse to choose between the lesser of 2 evils again...I told myself I would no longer play that game...so if each party selected non-viable candidates then I'd sit the election out...but 2 things have changed my mind.

    Firstly, the fact that, as I mentioned, I think an Obama reelection signals the end of the nation, and 2, because of the Democratic Party and the Chairwoman Wasserman Schultz. I was so taken aback at her viscious lies about the tea party that, between how bad Obama is, and how evil she is I've decided to set my personal vow aside for another election in the hopes to remove power from such dispicable and evil people. Now perhaps the American people don't care about honesty or integrity and they will keep the democrats in power...we shall see.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }