The military, which has ruled since 1962, has scheduled a May10 vote on a new Constitution it bills as one stage in a seven-step 'roadmap to democracy' to culminate in multi-party elections in 2010.
'However, (junta leader) Than Shwe and his regime are ensuring that the referendum vote will be on a dangerously flawed Constitution, and will not be free, fair, or credible,' Mr Bush said in a statement yesterday. 'They continue to ignore calls from the Burmese people and the international community.'
Mr Bush's new sanctions target state-owned companies which produce timber, pearls and precious gems. The companies 'are major sources of funds that prop up the junta', he said at an Asian Pacific American Heritage month celebration.
The latest sanctions prohibit US transactions with certain named companies and seek to freeze any assets they may have under US jurisdiction.
REUTERS