US to freeze Myanmar leaders' assets, ban remittances

WASHINGTON: Washington is preparing new sanctions against Myanmar that would freeze personal assets of members of its ruling military junta and ban remittances from its nationals working in the United States, a senior administration official said. 

The proposed measures, announced on Wednesday by US Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly, were part of efforts by the American administration to step up pressure on Myanmar's ruling junta and bring about the release of jailed pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.