Arakan News Agency
A spokesman for Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi said on Friday that US sanctions against the Myanmar army over his treatment of Muslim Rohingya would hamper the power-sharing between the civilian government and the generals.
The bill, introduced by US senators on the eve of President Donald Trump’s first visit to Asia since taking office in January, seeks to reimpose some of the sanctions lifted last year as Myanmar returns to democracy.
The measure will impose specific penalties and travel restrictions on Myanmar military officials and the United States will be barred from providing most of the aid to the military until those responsible for atrocities against the Rohingya are held accountable in Arakan state in western Myanmar.
“We need internal stability to improve the country’s economy,” Suu Kyi’s spokesman Zaw Htay told Reuters. The imposition of international sanctions directly affects people in travel and in investments will have serious consequences. ”
He said Myanmar officials would explain the government’s efforts in Arakan during a planned visit by US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Nov. 15.
“We’ll explain to him what we’re doing when he comes here. We can not ask him not to. We do not know what America’s policy is. “
