Obama lifts sanctions on Myanmar

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) – President Barack Obama ordered that U.S. sanctions on Myanmar be lifted on Friday, marking a historic milestone as the countries normalize relations.

He said in a letter to Congressional leaders “that the situation that gave rise to the national emergency with respect to Burma has been significantly altered by Burma's substantial advances to promote democracy”, including Myanmar’s historic 2015 polls.

"It is in the national interest of the United States to waive, and have waived, the sanctions," he wrote.

Obama uses the U.S. government’s preferred name of Burma for Myanmar. The name was changed to Myanmar in 1989 by the country’s military junta after it violently suppressed a popular uprising.

The country swore in its first democratically elected government in March, marking a milestone after five decades of military rule.

Former​ President Bill Clinton originally enacted the U.S. state of emergency with respect to Myanmar, and President George W. Bush extended and tightened sanctions in 2007.

Obama announced last month that he planned on lifting the economic penalties after meeting with Myanmar’s State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi.

The U.S. previously eased some sanctions, but largely left in place those that specifically targeted members of the ruling military establishment.