Following the recent announcement by President Bush of heightened sanctions against the Burmese junta and their supporters, United States politicians from across the political spectrum have been quick to voice their support for increased pressure on the generals.

On Friday, speaking in Washington, Bush announced additional sanctions against the Burmese regime and its financial and material supporters through both the Departments of Commerce and Treasury.

Stating that “ultimately, reconciliation requires that Burmese authorities release all political prisoners — and begin negotiations with the democratic opposition under the auspices of the United Nations,” Bush said that the White House was adding 11 names of junta leaders and 12 names of those termed supporters of the regime, to a Treasury Department sanctions list which already contains over 250 names. The list of additions includes Tay Za, managing director of Htoo Trading Company Limited and Chairman of Air Bagan.

The President urged China and India to join in a common stance with the United States, Europe and Australia in imposing sanctions against the regime, while calling on the junta to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross and other humanitarian organizations to function inside of Burma.

Leading politicians from both sides of the political theater were eager to voice their support for the United States continued hard line policy vis-à-vis Burma, as spearheaded by the White House.

Richard Durbin, the Democratic Majority Whip of the Senate, asked Congress to follow the President’s lead on Burma, as a reaffirmation to the people of Burma that United States stands with them.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Joseph R. Biden Jr., a Democratic presidential candidate, also offered approval for a policy of widening sanctions. “The thugs responsible for suppressing Burma’s democracy movement should find no safe haven for the riches they have plundered from the Burmese people,” stated Biden.

Meanwhile Republican Presidential hopeful, Senator John McCain, during a debate on Sunday night, said that the actions of Russia and China, with respect to the situation in places such as Burma, may force a League of Democracies into existence due to the obstructionist measures of both Russia and China in the United Nations.

In his speech on Friday, and accompanied by First Lady Laura Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Bush warned that further sanctions were possible as the people of Burma continue to “appeal for our help.” A spokesperson for the President also stated that the White House views the recent lift of curfew and the ban on assembly as purely “cosmetic” gestures, the generals having already detained much of the leadership from recent protests.