Burma Import Ban Extended for Another Year
On July 27, 2005, President Bush signed into law H.J. Res. 52 (Public Law (P.L. 109-39), a resolution that extends for another year the import ban contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003 (Act).
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Act bans importation of products of Burma until President certifies Burma has met certain conditions. The Act, which was signed into law on July 28, 2003, required the President to implement, among other things, a ban on the importation of any article that is the product of Burma (Myanmar) until such time as the President determines and certifies to Congress that Burma has met certain human rights, democracy, and counternarcotics conditions.
P.L. 109-39 extends import ban for third and final year. The Act stated that such import restrictions would expire one year from the date of enactment (July 28, 2003), but may be renewed annually for a maximum of three years from the date of enactment if, prior to the anniversary date of enactment, a renewal resolution is enacted into law.
A House Ways and Means press release has previously stated that the Act's import sanctions would completely terminate after this latest ban renewal.
(On June 7, 2004, President Bush signed into law H.J. Res. 97, which renewed the import restrictions against Burma for a second year. See ITT's Online Archives or 07/09/04 news, 04070910, for BP summary.)
(See today's ITT, 05081825, for BP summary of OFAC interim final rule that amends the Burmese Sanctions Regulations.)
H.J. Res. 52 available at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=109_cong_bills&docid=f:hj52enr.txt.pdf.