US president to announce visa and financial sanctions against Burma

National Security Advisor Steve Hadley told American reporters aboard the plane Monday to New York that Bush would announce additional sanctions in his UN speech directed at key members of the Rangoon regime and those that provide financial support to them.

"He's going to talk about—that there will be a visa ban to key individuals associated with the negative activities of the regime, including their families.He said that the president would also talke about the importance of continuing to support the humanitarian organizations that are trying to deal with the need of the Burmese people on the ground.

In the past few days, the US has intensified its diplomatic efforts by engaging the UN, especially the UN special envoy, Ibrahim Gambari, as well as the members of UN Security Council.

Hadley said that the US will call for the UN and other countries to do all they can to support a process of political change in Burma.

"Our hope is to marry that internal pressure with some external pressure—coming from the US, the UN, and really all countries committed to freedom to try and force the reigme not a changes, and one that will give—will release all political prisoners and permit an evolution towards democracy and freedom in Burma," he said.

Asean members, which are scheduled to meet on Thursday at the Malaysian UN Representative Office, have been muted. Only the Philippines came come out supporting the democracy in Burma. Asean foreign ministers are meeting US State Secretary Condoleeza Rice on the same day. The Burma crisis is top on the agenda of the meeting.

Since August 19, the non-stop peaceful demonstration, started by the 1988 generation of student leaders and now spread to the Buddhist monks all over the country, against the high price of oil and transportation fees. The protest continues and the number of demonstrators has already increased from several thousands to over one hundred thousand Tuesday.

Huge protest in Rangoon - Monday

The junta leaders have threatened to use forces if the abbots did not bring the monks under control, they would react. "If that happen, it would be bloodshed," said an Asean diplomat, who asked not be identified.

He also said that there were reports that the Burmese 77th Light Infantry Division has been moved to Mandalay to prepare to take over monasteries and other units have been positioned outside major town for a take over.

By Kavi Chongkittavorn

The Nation

[the junta under heavy rain of robe]