Biden Approves Executive Order to 'Take Action' Against Myanmar’s Military Coup
'We’re also going to impose strong exports controls'
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The Biden administration is following up on their warning to “take action” if Myanmar’s military moved with an “apparent coup against the country’s civilian leaders."
Joe Biden has now approved an executive order to impose sanctions if such actions are taken.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said:
“The United States opposes any attempt to alter the outcome of recent elections or impede Myanmar’s democratic transition,” adding that the U.S. “will take action against those responsible if these steps are not reversed.”
Later, Biden announced he had approved an executive order for new sanctions on those responsible for the military coup in Myanmar, and he repeated demands for the generals to give up power and free civilian leaders.
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The order will allow his administration “to immediately sanction the military leaders who directed the coup, their business interests as well as close family members.”
Biden said:
“We’re also going to impose strong exports controls."
"We’re freezing U.S. assets that benefit the Burmese government while maintaining our support for health care, civil society groups, and other areas that benefit the people of Burma directly.”
“We’ll be ready to impose additional measures, and we’ll continue to work with our international partners to urge other nations to join us in these efforts,” Biden added.
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“I again call on the Burmese military to immediately release the democratic political leaders and activists,” he said.
“The military must relinquish power it’s seized.”
The BBC reported:
"Sanctions come as a woman who was shot in the head during protests against the coup fights for her life at a hospital in the capital Nay Pyi Taw.”
Mya Thwe Khaing was hurt after police tried to disperse protesters, employing water cannons, rubber bullets, and live rounds.
Biden referenced those protests:
“The people of Burma are making their voices heard, and the world is watching."
"As protests grow, violence against those exerting their democratic rights is unacceptable, and we’re going to keep calling it out.”
