Irrawaddy: US Senate bans import of Burmese gems – Lalit K Jha

Filed under: News, Business / Trade Exactly one week after the United States House of Representatives passed the Block Burmese Jade Act, the Senate on Tuesday unanimously approved the bill, which blocks American companies from importing gemstones from Burma and expands financial sanctions against the country’s military junta. The act, which was initially introduced in the Congress last year by late Congressman Tom Lantos, is now being sent to US President George W Bush to sign it into law. In the US Senate, the bill was introduced by Senators Joseph Biden (D-DE) and Mitch McConnell (R-KY). Bush is expected to sign the Block Burmese Jade Act into law in coming days, knowledgeable sources said. Welcoming the passage of the bill by the Senate, Congressman Howard L Berman said: “We cannot allow this (Burmese) regime to prosper... [read full story]