Burma Ban Likely
Get ready for a ban on imports of Burmese gemstones. Both the House and the Senate have passed bills to close the loophole in the import ban for stones mined in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) that are cut and polished in another country.
The two bills differ, so they will have to be reconciled before being sent to President Bush for signing. He’ll no doubt do so quickly: First Lady Laura Bush has become one of the most vocal opponents of the regime in Myanmar.
The import ban will affect Burmese ruby, almost all the world’s jadeite, and some sapphire, spinel, and peridot.
On December 17, the House voted to award the Congressional Gold Medal, the United States’ highest civilian honor, to Burmese democratic opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, the only imprisoned recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. She has been under house arrest in Burma for 12 years. The award, which has yet to be confirmed by the Senate, is intended as a message to the Burmese junta led by General Than Shwe, who renamed the country Myanmar in 1989.
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