It is a decision that the new administration needs to make because it runs counter to one of their main foreign policy challenges.
President Joe Biden has announced that sanctions could be on the table in response to the grip of power by Myanmar’s armed forces. They seized control of the country on Monday after holding key government figures, including leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The takeover, which CNN calls a coup, came after months of escalation between the civilian government and the powerful military, known as the Tatmadaw, over alleged election anomalies.
“The seizure of military power in Burma, the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi and other civilian officials, and the declaration of a state of national emergency are a direct attack on the country’s transition to democracy and the rule of law,” Biden said in a statement Monday. For nearly a decade, the people of Burma have been working tirelessly to peacefully establish elections, civilian rule, and the transfer of power. That progress should be respected. “
“The United States has imposed sanctions on Burma over the past decade based on the progress of democracy,” he continued, using another name for Myanmar. “That progress must be reversed. immediately on our laws and sanctions authorities, and then appropriate action. “
Biden’s statement followed earlier criticism messages from White House press secretary Jen Psaki and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, none of which referred to the takeover as a trophy.
A State Department official told CNN that “recent events in Burma are obviously making a coup, but the State Department is making the necessary legal and factual investigation.”
“We will await the outcome before making an assessment,” said the official.
The U.S. International Development Agency said Monday night that it is “closely monitoring and evaluating the potential impacts on USAID programs as this situation develops.”
“The safety and security of our employees & partners is our top priority,” the organization said in a tweet.
By officially announcing the events in Myanmar a coup would legally bind the U.S. to foreign aid to the country’s government. The State Department’s legal office is investigating this decision and is likely to take the lead on this case, officials said. There is no legal requirement for the U.S. to formally declare a weapon ownership coup, but the administration will make that decision if it sees fit in the interest of U.S. national security to do so.
The State Department briefed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee about the situation Monday afternoon, sources told CNN.
Two conference supporters who were part of the state department’s preparatory meeting said it was clear that the department is going to help all its options as they determine the her approach. They noted that, unlike 10 years ago, a U.S. presence is now in the country for consideration.
One of the supporters noted that, if a coup assignment is made, the administration needs to determine how this will affect the implementation environment for humanitarian aid. The other noted that while the U.S. is generous with aid to the country, the U.S. provides little support to the government. Assigning a coup with direct assistance would not allow the Myanmar government to continue.
A third transportation assistant, who stressed the need for the U.S. to be guided by its own interests, noted that the law allows withdrawals for funding related to global health and humanitarian needs, for example, last year the U.S. government announced more than $ 18 million in Covid-19 support for Myanmar and that funding bucket is not expected to be offset, they said.
The first two conference consuls noted that, unless the administration imposes sanctions, it is likely that members of Congress will introduce legislation to impose mandatory sanctions.
One of these supporters noted that “in order to get the right policy going, the administration and Congress need to consult closely,” saying that it is “important” to have confidence in them. and that we can trust them. “”
Bipartisan lawmakers, including the leading Democrats and Republicans on both committees, have expressed concern about a return to military rule.
A State Department spokesman confirmed Tuesday that there was “preparation for bipartisan workers about recent events in Burma.”
A meeting of an inter-agency National Security Council deputy committee was also called Monday afternoon and officials were expected to discuss sanctions they could use to respond to armed takeovers, two departmental officials said state.
Biden’s administration could introduce sanctions as early as this week, but his decision is likely to have an impact with the desire to move with friends. It is working to understand how quickly other countries want to take action, officials said.
In his statement on Monday, Biden called on the international community to “come together in a voice to press Burma’s military to immediately release the power they have seized, the protesters and officials. which they are held to release, lift all restrictions of telecommunications, and stop violence against civilians. ”
“The United States is taking note of those who will stand by the people of Burma in this difficult time,” he said.
Asked if that was a message to China, which could try to take advantage of the situation on the ground in Myanmar, Psaki said, “I think it’s a message to the all the countries in the region and the countries that will go – you know, ask for a response or consider what the appropriate response will be in response to the events that have taken place in the last few days. “
Bonnie Glaser, senior consultant for Asia and director of the China Energy Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told CNN that imposing sanctions or restricting interactions with Myanmar could “open the door” to China’s influence even more. “
However, the third conference aide noted that “it is not clear that what has happened to China is a progressive development.”
Chinese Foreign Ministry Wang Wenbin said in a briefing Monday, “We have become aware of what is happening in Myanmar and we are learning more about the situation.”
Jessie Yeung from CNN and Yong Xiong contributed to this report.