奧巴馬發佈行政命令 宣佈美國解除對緬甸制裁

President Barack Obama has formally eased long-standing sanctions on Myanmar.

奧巴馬總統於日前宣佈，已經正式解除對緬甸的長期制裁。

Mr Obama issued the executive order weeks after meeting Myanmar's de facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi.

在與緬甸實際領導人昂山素季會面數週後，奧巴馬發佈了這一行政命令。

Myanmar's access to trade benefits for poorer nations was suspended in 1989 over human rights abuses.

由於濫用人權，緬甸獲得的貧窮國家貿易優惠於1989年被停止。

But the White House said substantial advances to promote democracy meant that it was no longer a threat to America's national security.

但是白宮方面表示，緬甸在提倡民主方面有顯著進步，因此不再威脅美國的國家安全。

Correspondents say the move is designed to coax the rapidly transforming South East Asian country from decades of economic isolation as Ms Suu Kyi's government manages the difficult transition to democracy in Myanmar.

通訊記者們表示，美國此舉是要籠絡這個多年來被經濟孤立的東南亞國家，昂山素季的政府正面對緬甸過渡到民主所產生的問題。

While Burma faces significant challenges, including the consolidation of its democracy, the United States can, and intends to, use other means to support the government and people of Burma in their efforts to address these challenges, Mr Obama wrote in a letter to the US House and Senate speakers.

奧巴馬給美國衆議院和參議院發言人的一封信寫道：“緬甸面臨重大考驗，包括鞏固民主的制度，美國決定運用其他方法幫助緬甸政府和人民應付這些挑戰。”

However, while many companies will now enjoy lower tariffs, there are some sanctions which remain in place.

不過，儘管很多緬甸公司現在享有低關稅進入美國市場的待遇，部分制裁措施仍未解除。

A "blacklist" of at least 100 companies and individuals with links to the former military junta has been scrapped, although a few individuals will remain sanctioned.

儘管有些人還將面臨制裁，但是與前軍政府有聯繫的至少一百家機構和個人的黑名單已被廢除。

Myanmar was run by an oppressive military junta from 1962 to 2011.

軍政府從1962至2011年統治緬甸。

Ms Suu Kyi, who as opposition leader was kept under house arrest for 15 years, led her National League for Democracy party to victory in Myanmar's first openly contested election for decades in November 2015.

領導反對派全國民主聯盟的昂山素季被軟禁15年，她的政黨在2015年11月舉辦的、緬甸數十年來的第一次公開選舉中獲勝。