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EU TO LIFT MYANMAR SANCTIONS; STILL NO BURMA RUBIES IN U.S. April 25, 2012 (0 comments)

BurmeseRuby.jpg

Luxembourg—The European Union will suspend sanctions against Myanmar (formerly Burma) for one year, says this report in the Financial Times. Embargoes on trade, asset freezes, and travel bans are being lifted, including in the mining sector. But the United States' ban on trade remains in place.

The lifting of most restrictions is an EU response to welcome government reforms there—moving toward democracy after years of military rule—though the fact that the bans are temporarily lifted and not completely eliminated signals the EU still wants to see more improvements, including the release of political prisoners, and allow time for the current reforms to take root. The EU also held back on potential inclusion of Myanmar in the generalized system of preferences, in which developing nations receive reduced tariffs. Arms sales also remain embargoed.

The United States has eased a few restrictions on Myanmar, namely those that support humanitarian, religious, and other not-for-profit activities in the country, defined as “non-commercial development project directly benefiting the Burmese people.” But it has not yet lifted commercial bans, which means that Burmese rubies and jade still are banned, says Cecilia Gardner, CEO of the Jewelers’ Vigilance Committee.

“There is some consideration of lifting the ban, but it would require legislative action—not likely just now,” she told The Centurion. Douglas Hucker, executive director of the American Gem Trade Association, says AGTA is working in Washington to effect that change. There have been positive signs from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the State Department, and even Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has commented on the progress being made by the new Myanmar government, Hucker said, but until the Lantos Act [that put the U.S. ban on rubies and jadeite] is repealed, Burmese gems cannot be imported into the United States.

Bringing them in the back door is not an option. Though European gem dealers will be able to buy Burmese stones legally once the restrictions are lifted, American jewelers and gem dealers can’t circumvent the law by shopping in Europe.

“Americans can buy the stones from a European dealer, but they still can’t import them,” Gardner said.   

Photo: Smithsonian Institute, Museum of Natural History

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