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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| US bid to stop Burma gem imports | US bid to stop Burma gem imports |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| The House of Representatives has voted to stop Burma's rubies and high-quality jade from entering the United States. | The House of Representatives has voted to stop Burma's rubies and high-quality jade from entering the United States. |
| The measure tightens sanctions against Burma's military junta, attempting to prevent laundering gemstones in third countries before they enter the US. | The measure tightens sanctions against Burma's military junta, attempting to prevent laundering gemstones in third countries before they enter the US. |
| The bill, which must be approved by the Senate and president, also tries to stop Burmese leaders using US banks to launder money in third countries. | The bill, which must be approved by the Senate and president, also tries to stop Burmese leaders using US banks to launder money in third countries. |
| Burma's military junta has been accused of brutally suppressing human rights. | Burma's military junta has been accused of brutally suppressing human rights. |
| "Burma's generals fund this repression of their own people by selling off the country's natural resources, especially oil and gems, leaving the Burmese people in poverty," Democratic Rep Tom Lantos said in a statement. | "Burma's generals fund this repression of their own people by selling off the country's natural resources, especially oil and gems, leaving the Burmese people in poverty," Democratic Rep Tom Lantos said in a statement. |
| Hidden origin | Hidden origin |
| He added tightened sanctions would "ensure that the United States stands up to these thugs". | |
| The bill attempts to prevent the junta hiding the origin of the rubies. | The bill attempts to prevent the junta hiding the origin of the rubies. |
| "Over 90% of the world's ruby supply originates in Burma, but only 3% of the rubies entering the United States are claimed to be of Burmese origin," the bill says. | "Over 90% of the world's ruby supply originates in Burma, but only 3% of the rubies entering the United States are claimed to be of Burmese origin," the bill says. |
| A similar bill is in the Senate where it must be adopted and sent to President George Bush for signing before becoming law. | A similar bill is in the Senate where it must be adopted and sent to President George Bush for signing before becoming law. |
| Mr Bush announced sanctions in October against Burma's ruling junta, following the violent suppression of anti-government protests in September. | Mr Bush announced sanctions in October against Burma's ruling junta, following the violent suppression of anti-government protests in September. |