US extends Myanmar sanctions

The US president has extended a ban on the importation of precious gems from Myanmar.

Signing new sanctions legislation into effect on Tuesday, George Bush renewed a ban on imports from the military-ruled country and signed a new law aimed at keeping Myanmar's gems from entering the US via third countries.

"I'm going to sign a piece of legislation and a joint resolution that will continue some sanctions, impose new sanctions and extend the import restrictions on the Burmese regime," Bush said during a White House signing ceremony.

"Our message is the United States believes in democracy and freedom."

The Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act, referring to Myanmar's former name, renews a sanctions regime imposed since 2003 over the suppression of the opposition led by Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

She has been held under house arrest in Yangon for most of the past 18 years.

The new Block Burmese Jade Act is aimed at stopping precious stones, including jade and rubies, from entering the US via countries such as Thailand, China, Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore.

Gemstones are Myanmar's third largest source of income and the new law is aimed at depriving Myanmar's ruling generals of hundreds of millions of dollars in annual revenue.

The bill also makes Myanmar's generals and their families ineligible for visas to the United States and enhances existing financial sanctions against the government.