Bush OKs new sanctions on Myanmar

WASHINGTON, July 29 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush Tuesday signed legislation imposing new sanctions and extending current sanctions on Myanmar for human rights violations.

"Our message is, the United States believes in democracy and freedom," Bush said in signing the measure. "Not only will I sign the joint resolution, I'm also looking forward to signing the Tom Lantos Block Burmese Jade Act of 2008."

Lantos, a Holocaust survivor who participated in the resistance in Hungary, was a California Democratic congressman who championed human rights. He died earlier this year

The Tom Lantos Block Burmese Jade Act of 2008 blocks the import of all jade and rubies from Myanmar, the country formerly known as Burma, into the United States -- both raw materials and finished jewelry.

The repressive Myanmar regime earned $300 million in 2006 from jade and rubies, $100 million of which entered the United States, the Jewelers Vigilance Committee estimated.

Sapphire, peridot, spinel and other gem materials also found in Myanmar are not mentioned in the bill, Jewelers Circular Keystone reported.