JAKARTA - The United States on Monday said there would be no "business as usual" with Myanmar's ruling military, following the execution of four democracy activists, adding that all options were on the table as it considered further steps to punish the junta.
Speaking at regular press conferences, US State Department spokesman Ned Price called on countries to ban the sale of military equipment to Myanmar, refraining from any action that would give the junta international credibility.
Asked if President Biden's administration was considering sanctions against Myanmar's gas industry, a sector that was spared the previous round of US sanctions, Price said that in their discussion of further action, all options were on the table.
"With the horrific atrocities the junta has perpetrated, there is no business as usual with this regime," Price said.
Previously, four Myanmar democracy activists were sentenced to death in secret trials in January and April. They are accused of aiding the civil resistance movement which has been battling the military since last year's coup and a bloody crackdown on nationwide protests.
The country's first execution in decades sparked international condemnation. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in addition to condemning the execution also asked the Myanmar military regime to immediately release Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint.
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No country has the potential to influence Myanmar more than China, Price said, while also calling on the ASEAN group of nations to maintain the precedent of barring junta representatives from regional gatherings.
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