US says sanctions weren't violated when Sec of State Kerry stayed at blacklisted Myanmar hotel
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The U.S. says Secretary of State John Kerry wasn't breaking any rules when he stayed in a hotel owned by a tycoon blacklisted by the U.S. because of ties with Myanmar's former military regime.
Cronies own almost all the biggest and best-known firms in the Southeast Asian country — including hotels in the capital Naypyitaw, so Kerry would have been hard-pressed to find anywhere else to stay during a weekend meeting of Southeast Asian foreign ministers. But the move illustrates a conundrum: Washington is eager to engage the government, but wants, too, to avoid bad business practices.
State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Kerry did nothing wrong.
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She says the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which outlines dealings with blacklisted nationals, exempts travel activity, including hotel accommodations.