Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – The European Union on Tuesday will lift a European-wide travel ban on some members of the Burmese regime from visiting EU member states, the Associated Press reported on Monday.
An unnamed EU official was quoted as saying that the travel ban will be lifted for one year for civilian members of the Burmese government. It is unclear if this would include Burma’s new President Thein Sein, who until April 2010 was a general in Burma’s armed forces.While Burma exiles and opposition activists inside the country will likely criticize the EU’s softening of sanctions, several prominent Western think tanks are likely to welcome the decision.
In a report released last month, the Brussels-based think tank International Crisis Group reiterated calls for Western nations to lift economic and other sanctions targeting Burma’s regime.
