THE government has rejected a claim by the United States that the tighter economic sanctions it imposed on Myanmar last year had promoted change.

A US State Department report made public on May 4, will be used by the US Congress to decide whether to renew the sanctions, which were imposed last July.

The report said that while some countries had indicated concern about the situation in Myanmar and had taken action to promote democracy, none had implemented “the same set of sanctions” as the US.

The report noted that many countries continued to invest in Myanmar and to import high-value products, such as natural gas and timber.

The action taken by the US last July had widened sanctions imposed on Myanmar, including an investment ban, since 1997.

The seven-year-old sanctions are also expected to be renewed by the Bush administration for another year later this month.

A government spokesperson said the US sanctions had hindered rather than helped Myanmar’s evolution towards a sustainable democracy.

“It is unfortunate that the US still continues to believe that sanctions, invasion or occupation solve all problems,” the spokesperson said in a statement faxed to Myanmar Times on May 13.

“The US does not have to look very far to educate itself but a study of its own past, recent and current mistakes in the Middle East are more than enough to realise the bitter truth,” the statement said, in an apparent reference to the controversy over the human rights abuses of prisoners in Iraq by American troops.

It also described as “wrong and unfair” Washington’s criticism of the engagement policy adopted by many Asian nations towards Myanmar.

“Many nations are taking a realistic and responsible approach and are helping Myanmar to move out of the isolation of the past and from being isolated again in the present,” the statement said.

It said support and understanding from those countries were “enabling Myanmar to open its door more confidently and to move towards achieving its objective of becoming a peaceful, stable and sustainable democracy.

“In spite of the international outcry about the United States’ actions around the world Washington’s failure or refusal to become a realistic and responsible global power is unfortunate,” the statement said.