Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE (Junta's Anti-Democratic Efforts) Act of 2008

The Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE (Junta's Anti-Democratic Efforts) Act of 2008 (USStatute|110|286|122|2632|2008|07|29) is a United States act of Congress, that bars gemstones -- specifically rubies and jadeite -- from Burma from entering the United States via third party countries.

Provisions

As of 2008, gemstones are Burma's third largest source of income.

The bill also bars generals and their families from Burma from acquiring visas to enter the United States and increases financial sanctions against the Burmese government. The ban does not apply to gems imported for personal use nor to exports of Burmese gems from the U.S or prevent U.S. sales of Burmese gems already in the United States.

Name

The Act was named for the recently deceased Tom Lantos, former chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

External links

* [http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/07/20080729.html White House Press Release] , [http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/07/20080729.wm.v.html (video of signing)]
* [http://www.idexonline.com/portal_FullNews.asp?id=30886 Bush Signs Burmese Gemstone Import Ban into Law (IDEX Online)]
* [http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hQId-OeJ4tpBe_7BuGFmuivVykNQ Bush signs sanctions against Myanmar into law (AFP via Google)]
* [http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2008/07/200873045147615811.html US extends Myanmar sanctions (Al Jazeera English)]