Aung San Suu Kyi’s party welcomed a US decision to ease Myanmar sanctions Thursday, but the opposition leader demanded more “transparency” as foreign firms hungrily eye the country’s energy sector. Washington on Wednesday gave the green light for firms to invest in Myanmar, including in oil and gas, in its greatest loosening of sanctions to reward reforms in the former pariah state after 50 years of military rule. The US decision was swiftly followed by the announcement of top-level talks with Myanmar this week. Under the new rules US companies will have the right to enter into business with state-owned Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE), but must notify the State Department within 60 days. Suu Kyi described the US move as “nothing significant” and repeated calls for the international community to press MOGE — which was closely linked to the former junta government — for increased transparency. She told AFP that that she believed the body should sign up to International Monetary Fund codes of conduct. Her National League for Democracy said the US decision was not at odds with the party’s view that lifting tough Western sanctions should be considered if it would help regenerate the country’s moribund economy.
