The European Union has widened its sanctions against Burma by adding a ban on imports of timber, gemstones and precious metals. But the EU shied away from targeting Burmese oil and gas exports or to prevent European companies from operating in those sectors in Burma. On Monday, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown urged the international community to support Burma’s economic recovery if the military junta agreed to democratic reforms.

Gordon Brown: “We will continue to press the Burmese regime to make changes. We will continue to give support to Aung San Suu Kyi and those people who are fighting for reconciliation and democracy. And we will continue to ensure that the gaze of the whole world is upon this repressive regime, so that the changes that are necessary, so that the human rights are respected, and that we can begin to make progress.”

Meanwhile, a group of jewelers in the United States is calling on Congress to bar Burmese gems from being imported to the United States from third countries. Burma is world renowned for its rubies. It also has a wealth of jadeite and sapphires.