A Burmese exile group is praising the U.S. Congress for voting to renew sanctions against Burma.
The National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma said Friday the move will help pro-democracy activists both in and outside the country.
The group is mainly composed of exiled Burmese lawmakers from the opposition National League for Democracy.
The U.S. sanctions on Burma, which await President Bush's approval, are a renewal of the Burma Freedom and Democracy Act.
The act is intended to press Rangoon to improve its human-rights record. It was passed last year after an attack on a motorcade carrying Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.