EU extends Burma sanctions

[moe@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

             Monday, April 26, 1999 Published at 19:39 GMT 20:39 UK 


             World: Asia-Pacific

             EU extends Burma sanctions 



             European Union foreign ministers have decided to extend
             sanctions against Burma for another six months. 

             Officials said it was because of its continuing violation of
             human rights. 

             The EU first applied the measures in October 1996 and
             then toughened them. 

             The steps include expulsion of military personnel serving
             in Burmese embassies abroad, an arms embargo and
             the suspension of non-humanitarian aid. The EU move
             comes three days after the United Nations Human
             Rights Commission condemned Burma for sweeping
             human rights violations. 

             From the newsroom of the BBC World Service