The United States has imposed new sanctions on businesses and individuals linked to Burma's military leaders.

The U.S. Treasury Department said Monday that the sanctions apply to "two key financial operatives of the Burmese regime."

It said the restrictions prohibit U.S. citizens from doing business with the Burmese company Asia World Company Limited, controlled by Steven Law and his father, Lo Hsing Han.

The sanctions also apply to two hotel chains owned by Tay Za, a Burmese businessman listed by the Treasury as "an arms dealer and financial henchman of Burma's repressive junta."

A top Treasury Department official, Stuart Levey, the under secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, said U.S. sanctions will continue to target people until Burma's government stops its violent oppression of its people.

President Bush said Monday the situation in Burma remains "deplorable." In a statement, Mr. Bush expressed concern about the Burmese government's refusal to talk with the opposition and ethnic minority groups.

He also noted concerns about the arrest of political activists and journalists, and the persecution of ethnic minorities in eastern Burma.

The U.S. began tightening sanctions against Burma's military leaders after their bloody crackdown last year on pro-democracy demonstrators.

A military government has ruled Burma since 1962. The political opposition won elections in 1990, but the government refuses to recognize the poll and is keeping opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest.