EU summons Myanmar envoy to warn of more sanctions

By David Brunnstrom

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union summoned Myanmar's senior diplomat in Brussels on Friday to warn him of tighter sanctions against the military government unless it ends a bloody crackdown on dissent.

The message was delivered to Myanmar's charge d'affairs Han Thu and would be conveyed on Monday to the country's Association of South East Asian Nations partners, who would be urged to use their influence to end the repression, an EU spokeswoman said.

"We told the charge d'affairs we are looking at a series of options and the behaviour of the regime would very much have an impact on the type of options," said Cristina Gallach, spokeswoman for EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana.

EU experts looked into possible restrictions on exports from Myanmar of timber, precious metals and stones on Friday but did not reach any decisions, one diplomat said. Investments by specific Europeans in the country were not raised, he said.

Separately, Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi's office said the European Union was discussing backing up a mission to Myanmar by United Nations special envoy, Ibrahim Gambari.

The junta has consented to Gambari's visit and diplomatic sources in Yangon said he was expected on Saturday.

The EU said on Thursday it was urgently looking into a response to the crackdown, including reinforced sanctions.

It has already targeted the military government with visa bans and asset freezes and trade and investment restrictions.