U.S. sanctions target Myanmar junta-linked businessman for procuring Russian-made weapons

REUTERS
Simon Lewis
October 7, 2022

A slogan is written on a street as a protest after the coup in Yangon, Myanmar February 21, 2021. Picture taken with iPhone panoramic mode. REUTERS/Stringer//File Photo

WASHINGTON, Oct 6 (Reuters) - The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on a Myanmar businessman and two others involved in procuring Russian-made weapons from Belarus for the junta that seized power in the Southeast Asian country early last year, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

The military staged a coup in February 2021, detaining democratic leaders including Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, then violently suppressed protests, sparking a spiraling conflict.

How Transnational Corporations are rendering Myanmar’s Sanctions Ineffective

Asia Portal

4. Mar 2022
By Zac Goldfinch, MA Graduate in Global Development from University of Leeds

1 February 2022 marked a full calendar year since Min Aung Hlaing’s Tatmadaw (the Myanmar military) stormed the Presidential Palace, citing dubious claims of election fraud and reinstated stratocracy in Myanmar. Back on 18February 2021, the UK, in tandem with the US, EU, New Zealand, and Canada, issued a set of sanctions intended to limit the capacity and strength of the junta following an onslaught of violent suppression of protests fighting for the reinstatement of National League for Democracy government. The sanctions included freezing assets of key military officials and barring key Tatmadaw businesses from trading. In an interview with me, British Minister Mark Garnier, PM Johnson’s trade envoy to Brunei, Thailand, and Myanmar, explained the sanctions were decreed following the coup to restore the process of democratisation through diplomacy and minimise the economic impact upon citizens. To make the sanctions more effective, leading individuals were targeted in order to ensure they did not flee the country or have access to offshore accounts.

Britain Tightens Sanctions Net on Myanmar Military

U.S News

By Reuters
June 21, 2021

LONDON (Reuters) -Britain added three Myanmar entities to its sanctions list on Monday: state-owned pearl and timber firms, and the 'State Administration Council' which runs the functions of the state, a notice posted on the British government website said.

Britain said there were reasonable grounds to believe the two state-owned enterprises provided funds to the military junta, and said the State Administration Council was responsible for, or had supported, the undermining of democracy in Myanmar.

Chevron Lobbies U.S. Officials to Protect its Energy Interests in Myanmar, as Sanctions Pressure Rises

Richard Valdmanis
April 22, 2021

Chevron’s affiliate in Myanmar, Unocal Myanmar Offshore Co. Ltd. (UMOCL), has a 28.3 percent ownership interest in a production sharing contract (PSC) for the production of natural gas from the Yadana, Badamyar and Sein fields, within Blocks M5 and M6, in the Andaman Sea Photo: Yadana Platform / File Photo: Total - Photographer: GLADIEU STEPHAN

U.S. oil giant Chevron Corp lobbied lawmakers and government officials to protect its energy interests in Myanmar during the first quarter, as the administration of President Joe Biden comes under pressure to impose sanctions against the south Asian country’s military junta, according to federal disclosures.

Chevron is among a handful of international oil and gas companies with big stakes in Myanmar’s energy riches, which have become a crucial source of revenue for military rulers who seized power in February and imposed a bloody crackdown on political protests.

U.S. imposes additional sanctions on Myanmar, targeting two companies linked to the country’s military.

The New York Times
By Glenn Thrush
April 21, 2021

Myanmar’s thriving timber and pearl industries are sources of funding for the military and its leadership.Credit...Romeo Gacad/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

American officials announced new sanctions on Myanmar in the wake of the recent military coup, targeting two state-owned businesses with connections to the armed forces as part of an escalating international effort to jolt the country back onto a democratic path.

The move on Wednesday came two days after European Union officials expanded their own sanctions against Myanmar’s military leadership, targeting 10 officials who were involved in toppling Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government and a violent crackdown on protesters.

Chevron Lobbies to Head Off New Sanctions on Myanma

The New York Times

By Kenneth P. Vogel and Lara Jakes
April 22, 2021

The oil company is arguing against efforts to restrict its involvement in a gas operation in Myanmar that provides funding for the junta there.

Chevron, the United States’ second-largest oil and gas producer, has a long history of investing heavily in Washington influence.Credit...Jonathan Bachman/Reuters

WASHINGTON — The Myanmar military’s coup and brutal crackdown on dissent have left it with few allies in the West. But one of the most sophisticated corporate lobbying operations in Washington has mobilized to head off intensifying pressure on the Biden administration to impose broad sanctions against the state-owned oil and gas company helping to finance the junta.

Chevron has dispatched lobbyists — including some former federal government officials, one of whom appears to have left the State Department just last month — to agencies including the State Department and key congressional offices to warn against any sanctions that might disrupt its operations in Myanmar, according to four people familiar with the lobbying.

US slaps additional sanctions on Myanmar over coup

THE HILL
TAL AXELROD -
04/08/21

© Getty Images

The Biden administration slapped additional sanctions on Myanmar on Thursday over the military junta’s February coup.

The Treasury Department said in a statement that its Office of Foreign Assets Control is instituting penalties on Myanma Gems Enterprise (MGE), a government-owned firm that oversees all gemstone activities in the country, a lucrative industry that helps fund the military regime.

“Today’s action highlights Treasury’s commitment to denying the Burmese military sources of funding, including from key state-owned enterprises throughout Burma,” said Andrea Gacki, director of the Office of the Foreign Assets Control, using another name for the country. “The United States will continue to work tirelessly, including with partners throughout the region and the world, to support the restoration of democracy and rule of law in Burma and to bring accountability to those who seek to undermine these values.”

US Targets Myanmar’s Junta-Controlled Jade Sector in New Sanctions

Radio Free Asia

Richard Finney

2021-04-08

A buyer checks a jade stone during the annual Myanmar Jade, Gems, and Pearl Emporium in Myanmar's capital Naypyidaw, Sept. 16, 2019. AFP

The United States on Thursday announced new sanctions targeting the country’s multi-billion dollar jade industry, a sector long controlled by Myanmar military figures responsible for ousting the country’s democratically elected government in a coup on Feb. 1.

The move follows economic sanctions imposed by the U.S. and UK at the end of March on other military companies controlled by the junta, and aims to block the flow of revenue supporting junta leaders and military operations in Myanmar that have killed more than 600 civilian protesters to date.

Myanmar Coup: Russia Calls Sanctions 'dangerous', Says It Could Lead To Civil Conflict

R. REPUBLICWORLD

Bhavya Sukheja

7th April, 2021

Amid political tensions in Myanmar, Russia said that sanctions against authorities in Burma were dangerous and could push country towards civil conflict.

Image: AP

Amid political tensions in Myanmar, Russia on April 6 said that sanctions against authorities in Burma were futile, extremely dangerous and could ultimately push the country towards civil conflict. Since February 1 coup, Myanmar has been embroiled in protest against the military government, which has responded with increasingly totalitarian surveillance and censorship measures in addition to the violence that has left more than 500 dead and thousands arrested. The cup and the subsequent crackdown has led to Western sanctions on the military and its lucrative business.

US and UK ratchet up sanctions on Myanmar's military

 B B C

BBC News

Tim McDonald

26 March 2021

The US and UK have imposed sanctions on Myanmar's two military conglomerates in a move that significantly ratchets up pressure on the country's leadership.

Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC) and Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd (MEHL) control significant portions of Myanmar's economy, with interests across many of the country's major industries.

The US Treasury has now added the two companies to a blacklist, freezing any assets they have in the US and banning US individuals and businesses from trading with them.

The UK has imposed sanctions on MEHL.

"These actions will specifically target those who led the coup, the economic interests of the military, and the funding streams supporting the Burmese military's brutal repression," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said. "They are not directed at the people of Burma.

Myanmar Junta Expects Asian Nations to Keep Investing After Coup

Bloomberg News
22 March 2021,

Myanmar’s military junta expects investments from Asian countries to continue despite growing condemnation over its coup last month and the violent suppression of ensuing pro-democracy protests.

While the U.S. and its partners are taking actions such as sanctions against the military, and some regional companies have scaled back operations, Asian neighbors largely have refrained from turning away from the country and the current leadership sees long-term regional partners staying engaged.

US, EU, Britain Impose Sanctions on Chinese Officials Over Uyghurs

VOA News
Updated March 22, 2021

European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell speaks to media before a EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels, on March 22, 2021.

The United States, the European Union and Britain have imposed sanctions on several Chinese officials for human rights abuses against the Muslim Uyghur minority in China’s Xinjiang province.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. sanctions were taken in solidary with U.S. allies.

“As part of their actions today, our partners also sanctioned human rights abusers in connection with the atrocities occurring in Xinjiang and other countries,” Blinken said in a statement Monday.

UK announces further sanctions against Myanmar generals

StarTribune
Associated Press
FEBRUARY 25, 2021

LONDON — Britain announced further sanctions Thursday against members of Myanmar's military for their part in the coup that ousted the country's elected government.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said six more top generals face sanctions for serious human rights violations, in addition to 19 others previously listed by the U.K.

The new round of sanctions targets Myanmar's State Administration Council, which was set up following the coup to exercise state functions. The measures immediately ban the generals, including Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing, from traveling to Britain and will prevent U.K. businesses and institutions from dealing with their funds or economic resources in Britain.

US Slaps Sanctions on 10 Current and Ex-Military Officers, 3 Entities Who Led Coup in Myanmar

 NEWS18  

PTI
FEBRUARY 12, 2021

The US Department of Commerce is also taking immediate action to limit exports of sensitive goods to the Burmese military and other entities associated with the recent coup.

A protester holds a placard with an image of Myanmar military Commander-in-Chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing and Justice For Myanmar (AP Photo)

Washington: The US on Thursday slapped sanctions on 10 current and former military officers and three entities in Myanmar who led the recent coup against the democratically elected government and detained its leaders Aung San Suu Kyi and Win Myint.

Six of the individuals are part of the National Defense and Security Council and were directly involved in the coup — Commander-in-Chief of the Burmese military forces Min Aung Hlaing, Deputy Commander-in-Chief Soe Win, First Vice President and retired Lieutenant General Myint Swe, Lieutenant General Sein Win, Lieutenant General Soe Htut, and Lieutenant General Ye Aung.

US hits Myanmar with sanctions, aid cuts, export bans in bid to reverse military coup

abc NEWS

Conor Finnegan
11 February 2021, 

  U.S. leverage may be limited with generals who've defied pressure for decades.

People in Myanmar take to streets to protest the military coup.

ABC News’ Ian Pannell reports on the nationwide protests taking place in Myanmar in the week since the military detained the country’s democratically-elected leader

The U.S. is implementing its first penalties against Myanmar's military leaders after declaring their overthrow of the democratically elected government last week a coup d'état.

White House names generals targeted by Myanmar sanctions

StarTribune

By AAMER MADHANI 

Associated Press
FEBRUARY 11, 2021

The Biden administration announced Thursday that new sanctions against Myanmar will target the country's top military officials who ordered this month's coup in the Southeast Asian country.

The sanctions name top military commander Min Aung Hlaing and his deputy Soe Win, as well as four members of the State Administration Council. The executive order signed by President Joe Biden also allows the Treasury Department to target the spouses and adult children of those being sanctioned.

The move will prevent the generals from accessing more than $1 billion in Myanmar government funds held in the United States. The sanctions also will affect the Myanmar Ruby Enterprise and Myanmar Imperial Jade Co., businesses controlled by the regime.

Will U.S. Sanctions Convince Myanmar’s Junta to Change Course?

FOREIGN POLICY 

BY COLM QUINN

FEBRUARY 11, 2021

Myanmar’s generals have proven they can survive sanctions. But sustained public pressure may be harder to endure.

US President Joe Biden speaks about the situation in Myanmar in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C., February 10, 2021. SAUL LOEB/AFP

Here is today’s Foreign Policy brief: U.S. President Joe Biden announces sanctions on Myanmar’s military, Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping hold their first phone call since Biden took office, and women’s rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul is released from prison in Saudi Arabia.

Myanmar's military companies should be sanctioned

Aljazeera  
by Yanghee Lee & Isabel Todd 
26 Nov 2019

 

Business with military companies in Myanmar would only further empower the army.  

 

Rohingya refugees gather to mark the second anniversary of the exodus at the Kutupalong camp in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, August 25, 2019 [File: Rafiqur Rahman/Reuters]

 

During the optimistic years that ultimately led to the National League for Democracy forming a government in 2016, the international community confirmed its faith in Myanmar's transition from military rule by lifting a succession of economic sanctions that had been imposed on the country. But there were warnings that this response came too soon.

U.N. urges sanctions on Myanmar army businesses, says foreign partners could be complicit

REUTERS

Angie Teo, Poppy McPherson

05 August 2019

 

JAKARTA (Reuters) - United Nations investigators urged world leaders on Monday to impose targeted financial sanctions on companies linked to the military in Myanmar, and said foreign firms doing business with them could be complicit in international crimes.

 Marzuki Darusman, chairperson of the Independent International Fact-finding Mission (IFFM) on Myanmar, gestures during a news conference at the United Nation office in Jakarta, Indonesia, August 5, 2019. REUTERS/Sekar Nasly

 

A panel of human rights experts identified scores of companies tied to the army, which controls vast swathes of Myanmar’s economy through holding firms and their subsidiaries, and is accused by the U.N. of executing a campaign with “genocidal intent” against the Rohingya minority.

New Sanctions A Positive Step In Responding To The Rohingya Crisis

Forbes
Olivia Enos Contributor
Policy 

                  Young Rohingya man carrying senior Rohingya woman in refugee camp. Getty

In a welcome move, the U.S. Department of State issued sanctions against four senior Burmese military officials. One of those sanctioned is Senior-General Min Aung Hlaing, the man directly responsible for atrocities committed against the Rohingya, a Muslim minority group in Burma.

While State’s action stopped short of financially sanctioning military officials, it subjects them to a travel ban and represents a positive step toward accountability.