The U.S. State Department says American sanctions against Burma will be continued until there is significant progress toward political transition and respect for human rights.
The statements came in a report issued this week by the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs. The report added sanctions might be lifted if requested by a democratically-elected government of Burma.
The report says the Burmese military government's disregard for human rights and its intolerance of dissent have reduced chances for reform over the past six months. It says abuse of ethnic minorities continue -- including rape, torture, execution, and forced relocation.
However, the report did praise Burma's government for its cooperation on counter-terrorism and narcotics issues.
