The United States on Monday (10/27) said it would maintain tough new economic sanctions against Burma and added it would consider additional penalties against its military regime if human rights did not improve.
The military government on Wednesday responded that such sanctions were obstructing efforts to fight drugs trafficking. Again on Thursday the military junta said economic sanctions are forcing people into poverty and prostitution and could further destabilize the country.
Ko Aung Din of US Campaign for Burma hailed the US's tough policy while Dr. San Aung of National Council of Union Burma said the US's push for additional sanctions is the only way the military leaders understand.
U Kyin Chin Htan of Committee Representing Peoples' Parliament rejected the Burmese military government's claim that sanctions only hurt people.