Brussels, 16/10/2007 (Agence Europe) - Backing the work of the UN and UN Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari who will be returning to Myanmar (Burma) shortly, the EU has decided to introduce new sanctions against the Burmese military junta. In conclusions adopted in Luxembourg on Monday 15 October, EU foreign ministers said it was necessary to increase direct pressure on the Burmese military junta. They are planning a ban on the export of equipment for the timber and wood for construction industries, along with equipment used in the metal, mineral and precious and semi-precious stones mining industries; a ban on imports of such products into the EU; and a ban on EU investment in these industries.
These measures come on top of the blacklist of people to which EU visa bans and asset freezing applies and will not affect the general population but are targetted at people responsible for the violent repression and general political stalemate in the country, argue the ministers. The measures will come into force in the next few days and weeks following amendment of the April 2007 common position (2007/248/CFSP) and the July 2007 regulation on sanctions against Myanmar. The Council is calling on the relevant bodies to examine other sanctions, including a wider investment ban. It is therefore leaving the door open for further tightening of sanctions depending on what happens in the country and the outcome of Gambari's mission. (A.B.)