VOA标准英语2012--US Suspends All Economic Sanctions on Burma

（单词翻译）

US Suspends All Economic Sanctions on Burma

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced the suspension of bans on U.S. financial transactions, investments, and access to credit in a meeting with Burmese Foreign Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin.

"This is a moment for us to recognize that the progress which has occurred in the last year toward democratization and national reconciliation¹ is irreversible, as the minister said to me. The United States wants to do everything we can to be sure that is the reality," she said. 

Secretary Clinton praised the parliamentary elections that brought Aung San Suu Kyi's opposition² party to parliament, but said some U.S. measures, including an arms embargo³, will remain in place until the country's reforms are complete.

In a video conference via Skype, hosted by former U.S. president George W. Bush, Aung San Suu Kyi said the suspension of U.S. sanctions against Burma, rather than their full removal, will keep the pressure on the military to stay on track with political reforms.

"I sometimes feel that things, that people are too optimistic about the scene in Burma. You have to remember that the democratization process is not irreversible. I have said very openly that we can never look upon it as irreversible until such time as the military commits itself to democratization," she said.

With abundant natural resources, Burma is ripe for new business. And Secretary Clinton called on U.S. investors⁴ to look for opportunities across the country to benefit ethnic⁵ minority areas as well.

"Today we say to American business: Invest in Burma. And do it responsibly. Be an agent of positive change," she said. 

Aung San Suu Kyi says spreading new investments more equitably⁶ will help ease some of Burma's ethnic inequalities.

At Washington's Brookings Institution, Lex Rieffel says too much investment too quickly could overwhelm Burma. "To be successful, this has to be done carefully. What is happening right now is that the country is being over-run with visitors. It is being smothered⁷ in love. This is making it more difficult for the government to make good policy decisions," he said. 

Some Burmese activists⁸ fear the United States is moving too fast. An ASEAN inter-parliament caucus⁹ on Burma is urging Washington to maintain all of its business sanctions, warning that a flood of new investment could fuel further human rights abuses and undermine democratic reforms.