US State Department and the European parliament are encouraged by the Burmese government's recent steps. The US plans to allow financial transactions involving NGOs whilst a group of European lawmakers has called on the EU Council to lift all sanctions on the Asian nation.

Washington (AsiaNews) - A statement by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for Burmese New Year and a resolution of the European Parliament tabled for voting tomorrow suggest that if Myanmar's military-dominated regime continues along the path of democracy, the United States and the European Union would review their sanctions against the country.

In a statement on Tuesday to celebrate Myanmar's Thingyan New Year, Clinton said that the once isolated country "has taken important steps on an historic new path toward democracy and economic development."

"As you build a brighter future filled with new opportunities, the United States will continue to work with you to strengthen mutual understanding and trust between our two countries and peoples," she added.

In support of Clinton's message, the US Treasury Department announced that it would no longer bar financial transactions in Burma involving NGOs. The latter had been barred when sanctions were imposed some years ago to penalise the country's military junta for excluding NGOs helping ethnic minorities, promoting religious freedom and teaching Western languages.

The US secretary of state also said that she would quickly appoint an ambassador to the country to restore full diplomatic relations.

Meanwhile, the European parliament is vetting the possibility of lifting all sanctions. In a long resolution, which AsiaNews obtained, European parliamentarians note the progress in the country, but underline certain elements of uncertainty, most notably the relationship between the military and the country's ethnic minorities and the 25 per cent of seats reserved to the military in parliament.

The proposed resolution is satisfied about Myanmar's recent poll. It "welcomes the transparent and credible conduct of the by-elections of 1 April, [. . .] and supports the authorities in their efforts to guarantee that this process is sustainable and irreversible".

The resolution signatories also welcome the release of political prisoners, the overtures towards Aung San Suu Kyi and the small steps in favour of freedom of information.

In view of this, they request "the EU Council to evaluate the political value of sanctions in the light of the new context in Burma/Myanmar, and to encourage further reforms by means of a clear political signal, including a substantial further easing of restrictive measures".

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