US slaps sanctions on Myanmar, Cuba, DPRK

Bush determined that Sudan, Venezuela, and Equatorial Guinea "also failed to make significant efforts" as laid out in a 2000 US law, but that aid to those countries was in US interests, said White House spokesman Scott McClellan.

And the president praised Bangladesh, Ecuador, Guyana and Sierra Leone "for their quick action to address problems" noted in a June 2004 State Department report on human trafficking, McClellan said in a statement.

He said those countries had made "notable progress" in bringing human traffickers to justice, identifying and rescuing trafficking victims and raising public awareness of the problem.

"These tremendous accomplishments will punish perpetrators and help innocent victims of this heinous crime around the world," McClellan said as Bush campaigned for reelection in this crucial state.

"The steps taken by these countries stand in contrast to the continuing failure of Burma, Cuba, and North Korea to make significant efforts," he said. "As a result, the president decided to impose sanctions on these countries."

Bush announced the move in a memorandum for US Secretary of State Colin Powell.