Kerry’s stay at U.S.-blacklisted hotel ‘legal’

[Jefferson23]

Associated Press 8/13/2014

YANGON, Myanmar: The U.S. says Secretary of State John Kerry did not break any rules when he stayed in a glitzy hotel owned by a tycoon blacklisted because of ties to Myanmar’s former military regime.

In a country where cronies own most of the biggest firms – including hotels in the capital Naypyitaw – Kerry would have been hard-pressed to find anywhere else to stay during the gathering of Southeast Asian foreign ministers this past weekend.

But the decision illustrates the conundrum of American policies. Washington is eager to engage with Myanmar’s new nominally civilian government, but when it comes to business, finds itself grappling with the legacy of sanctions imposed during decades of military dictatorship.

U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki insisted Tuesday that Kerry did nothing wrong.

Read more: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/World/2014/Aug-13/267025-kerrys-stay-at-us-blacklisted-hotel-legal.ashx#ixzz3AE9nKfI4
(The Daily Star :: Lebanon News :: http://www.dailystar.com.lb)

[MADem]

1. The wingnuts would probably prefer that he slept in the back of a van.

Then, if he did that, they'd criticize him for being undignified. At any rate, there's a clearly defined loophole, so I can only speculate that the story was "catapulted" for purposes of propaganda in the first place!

The International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which outlines dealings with “specially designated” or “blacklisted” nationals, “includes an exemption for activities related to travel, including hotel accommodations,” she added.

Read more: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/World/2014/Aug-13/267025-kerrys-stay-at-us-blacklisted-hotel-legal.ashx#ixzz3AECCP2Fj

[Jefferson23]

2. Exactly, the crazies would take a reasonable explanation and exploit it..it's what they do. n/t