Easing of Myanmar Sanctions Clears Path for U.S. Aid Groups

The Treasury Department has eased economic sanctions on Myanmar, a move that will enable American charities to do aid and development work in the impoverished Southeast Asian nation, writes the Associated Press.

The announcement Tuesday marks a first in a planned series of U.S. rewards for Myanmar, also known as Burma, after its entrenched military government held elections this month. An opposition party led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi swept the voting.

Treasury rolled back restrictions on financial transactions undertaken by private groups in Myanmar in support of democracy-building, health, education, sports, and religious activities. The United States is also planning ease investment restrictions and send an ambassador to Myanmar for the first time in two decades.