The National Unity Government of Myanmar (NUG) welcomes the US Government’s determination allowing sanctions to be imposed on any foreign individual or entity operating in the jet fuel sector of the Myanmar economy

The National Unity Government of Myanmar (NUG) welcomes the US Government’s determination allowing sanctions to be imposed on any foreign individual or entity operating in the jet fuel sector of the Burmese economy. The jet fuel and their suppliers enable the genocidal military junta to continue their brutal airstrikes attacks against the people of Myanmar, who are risking their lives every day for the cause of freedom and federal democracy. It is imperative that the free world joins hands with the US to heed the cries of the 54 million people of Myanmar, who have been living under the reign of terror inflicted by these brutal and cruel airstrikes, which can be halted by sanctioning the brutal military junta’s international fuel, finances, weapons, and legitimacy.

The US Treasury issued a statement that reads:

“Today, in light of the Burmese military regime’s violent airstrikes against the people of Burma, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued a determination allowing sanctions to be imposed on any foreign individual or entity operating in the jet fuel sector of the Burmese economy. Concurrently, OFAC designated two individuals and one entity involved in the procurement and distribution of jet fuel to Burma’s military regime, and two entities for being owned or controlled by such persons.”

The US Treasury has also imposed sanctions on Khin Phyu Win and Zaw Min Tun for their roles in the aviation fuel industry in Burma. Additionally, Shoon Energy PTE. LTD., P.E.I Energy PTE. LTD., and PEIA PTE. LTD., which are Singaporean holding companies controlled by Burmese business cronies, have been sanctioned.

In the past 30 months, the genocidal military junta in Myanmar has conducted brutal airstrikes against civilian populations. As of May 31, 2023, more than 760 brutal airstrikes against civilian targets have been reported. Over 4,400 civilians have been killed since the attempted coup on February 1, 2021.

Over 24,000 civilians have been unjustly arrested, including Myanmar President U Win Myint, State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and hundreds of children. More than 70,000 houses, including schools, hospitals, and places of worship, have been destroyed, nearly 2 million displaced, over 18 million needing lifesaving aid, and more than 48 million people of Myanmar are living below the poverty line.

A few days ago, the brutal military junta admitted that earlier this year, the USA’s sanctions on two banks, the Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank (MFTB) and the Myanma Investment and Commercial Bank (MICB), which are responsible for international financing channels for the brutal military junta, have significantly impacted their finances. These sanctions have hindered their ability to purchase more fighter jets from Russia, which they have been using to attack the people of Myanmar in their pursuit of freedom and federal democracy.

Therefore, once again, we urgently implore the international community and the governments of the free world to follow the USA’s lead in imposing sanctions that cut arms, equipment, revenue, and aviation fuel supplies to the genocidal military junta in Myanmar. It is imperative that all these sanctions imposed against the brutal military junta are fully implemented on the ground. The implementation of Sanctions, the ASEAN five-point Consensus on Myanmar (2021), the United Nations Security Council Resolution No. 2669 (2022) on Myanmar, and the US NDAA Burma Acts (2023) are more critical on the ground than ever, as the brutal military junta’s crimes against humanity continue to escalate.

It is imperative that the international community comes together for tougher, targeted, and coordinated sanctions against the genocidal military junta in Myanmar. Cutting their international finance, weapons, and legitimacy are crucial to saving Myanmar from these unspeakable crimes against humanity committed against the people of Myanmar, who have done nothing wrong but have given their lives in their pursuit of freedom and federal democracy. This is the only path that can bring freedom and federal democracy, peace and prosperity not only to Myanmar but to the entire region and indeed to a better world for all.

Sincerely,
Dr. Sasa

Union Minister
Ministry of International Cooperation
The National Unity Government
Republic of the Union of Myanmar