Bush Slaps Sanctions on More Junta Cronies

“Burma, and its reclusive and repressive regime, may represent one of the most intractable challenges for the global community,” Rice said in response to a question to Senator Lugar.

“This is as much, if not more, a challenge for key regional players—Russia, China, India and Asean countries—several of whom sit on the UN Security Council and have limited the ability to do more,” she said, in apparent reference to Russia and China, which have blocked efforts in the Security Council to take more effective action against the Burmese military regime.

Rice argued that there is scope for greater regional and international action to pressure Burma’s dictators. “Multilateral sanctions should be pursued, despite the opposition that such measures have faced in the past. This will require creative strategies that push the key regional states to support tougher sanctions,” Rice said.

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