Bush Signs Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE Act of 2008

The bill, sponsored by 30 Democrats and 9 Republicans, was presented to the President on 7/25/2008 and was signed into legislation yesterday. The bill amends the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003 and amongst other things imposes import sanctions on Burmese gemstones. According to the Act, 2008 H.R. 3890, millions of dollars in gemstones that are exported from Burma ultimately enter the United States, but the Burmese regime attempts to conceal the origin of the gemstones in an effort to evade sanctions. For example, according to gem industry experts, over 90 percent of the world's ruby supply originates in Burma but only 3 percent of the rubies entering the United States are claimed to be of Burmese origin. The act further requires that all exporters maintain a full record of complete information relating to any act or transaction related to the purchase, manufacture, or shipment of non-Burmese gemstones for a period of not less than 5 years from the date of entry; and to provide the information to authorities upon request.