yangon/washington european union unite state consider target sanction myanmar military leaders offensive drive 500,000 rohingya muslims country officials familiar discussions say interview dozen diplomats government officials base washington yangon europe reveal punitive measure aim specifically top general among range options discuss response crisis nothing yet decide washington brussels may decide hold source say also discussions increase aid violence-riven rakhine state active discussion sanction even table month ago show dramatic exodus rohingya muslims myanmar northwest put pressure western policymakers take action much outcry overseas focus nobel laureate myanmar national leader aung san suu kyi western diplomats see alternative leadership suu kyi control military still wield considerable power myanmar army-written constitution eu foreign minister council discuss myanmar oct. 16 although officials expect move sanction soon danish minister development cooperation ulla tornaes tell reuters copenhagen work get crisis agenda wish put pressure military two washington-based u.s. officials knowledge trump administration myanmar deliberations say target sanction commander-in-chief min aung hlaing several general well leaders ethnic rakhine buddhist militias accuse torch rohingya villages consideration sanction decide would likely entail u.s. asset freeze ban travel unite state prohibitions americans business unspecified penalties washington move cautiously consult governments europe japan southeast asia u.s. officials say senior yangon-based european diplomat also say western countries coordinate response crisis agreement military specifically commander-in-chief need target punitive action punishment likely symbolic first allow room talk yangon-based diplomats say give example formally ban army chief past year visit brussels berlin vienna travel europe western diplomats admit leverage limit compare china whose tie myanmar warm since suu kyi take office 18 months ago u.s. european investment military engagement country small also wary action could hurt wide economy destabilize already tense tie suu kyi army unite nations press increase humanitarian access part rakhine hundreds thousands rohingya remain myanmar respond call increase aid investigation allege atrocities repatriation refugees would key consideration decide action take u.s. eu diplomats myanmar say pile political pressure look finance myanmar humanitarian aid well development aid ... european commission invest development myanmar condition include security say brussels-based eu diplomat follow myanmar also arm trade embargo discuss regularly whether reward reform myanmar look gradual ease opposite eu economic sanction myanmar lift army step back direct rule country 2012 begin democratic transition bring suu kyi power last year arm embargo force since 1990s remain unite state remove sanction myanmar last autumn keep arm embargo place one washington-based u.s. official say firm deadline washington hop plan action myanmar place time president donald trump travel asia series summit first half november administration want send strong message myanmar military concern drastic action could allow china expand grow diplomatic economic influence country official say little support administration re-imposition broad economic sanction official add white house decline comment internal deliberations rohingya crisis another sign pressure build myanmar new york-based diplomats say organisation islamic cooperation oic u.n. general assembly push human right resolution country last year eu announce first time 15 years would introduce resolution general assembly third committee focus human right condemn myanmar record reward progress european bloc could revive resolution current session take board oic draft broaden beyond rohingya crisis one diplomat new york say diplomats say members u.n. security council explore whether 15-member body could agree formal statement even resolution call end violence full access aid safe return refugees however myanmar say negotiate china russia veto power security council protect possible action china russia express support myanmar government myanmar relations u.n. grow increasingly testy since discovery world food programme-branded biscuits suspect militant camp july prompt government accuse u.n. agency support insurgents force shut operations rakhine myanmar stall accept plan u.n. upgrade u.n. country head powerful rank assistant secretary-general asg current top official due rotate replace thaung tun suu kyi national security advisor tell reuters u.n. must treat us equally fine anybody member state asg assign us say exclusive west edge towards punish myanmar army leaders rohingya crisis source