Bush lists new sanctions against Myanmar

WASHINGTON, Oct. 19 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush on Friday announced a new round of sanctions against Myanmar leaders for their continued brutal crackdown on protesters.

Bush said he was designating more leaders of Myanmar's military junta and others who support the junta for visa bans. Also subject to sanctions would be "entities ... who provide materials and financial backing" to either individuals or the government of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma.

Bush challenged Myanmarese officials who have spoken of trying to achieve peace to "match those words with actions" by providing international humanitarian organizations access to political prisoners and to permit a U.N. special envoy to enter the country immediately.

"Business as usual is unacceptable," Bush said, condemning the regime's continued violent reaction to people whose "only offense is the desire to live in freedom."

Bush lauded the efforts of the EU nations and other countries for "their responses to the atrocities." He called on other nations -- singling out China and India -- to review their own laws and policies regarding their dealings with Myanmar.