Clinton in Naypyidaw opens “new chapter” in US-Myanmar relations
US secretary makes historic visit to the country formerly known as Burma, the first since 1955 by a top US official. Talks focus on sanctions, political prisons and ethnic conflicts. The archbishop of Yangon urges the government to implement “lasting reforms” Beijing expresses concerns over the visit. However, Naypyidaw receives Belarus PM Mikhail Myasnikovich with greater pomp and ceremony.
Yangon (AsiaNews) – The United States is “encouraged” by a series of reformist moves by Myanmar's new leadership, whilst Burmese leaders hail visit BY US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as a "new chapter" in relations between Naypyidaw and Washington. This comes after a meeting between Burmese President Thein Sein and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who arrived in the Southeast Asia yesterday. The last time a cabinet-level US official visited the country was in 1955. Since 1962, when the military took over, relations between the countries went downhill, culminating in economic sanctions. The Burmese Catholic Church welcomed the visit. As Yangon Archbishop Charles Bo said, the visit marks a “significant change” in the country, even though the president has “still a lot to do” to convince the world and the people of Burma that “democratic reforms are real and lasting.”
"I am here because President (Barack) Obama and myself are encouraged by the steps that you and your government have taken to provide for your people," Ms Clinton told President Thein Sein in the capital, Naypyidaw.
The US secretary of state called on Burma to release all political prisons and end conflicts with the country’s ethnic minorities.
For his part, Burmese President Thein Sein hailed the visit as a "new chapter" in relations with the US, praising the positive atmosphere created.
The talks include military relations between Naypyidaw and Pyongyang. North Korea is said to have provide Burma with nuclear technology and materiel.
However, an anonymous US official stressed that nothing indicates that Burma is pursuing any important nuclear programme even though missile technology in the hands of the Burmese military remains a concern.
Led by Secretary Clinton, the US delegation continues its diplomatic mission today according to schedule. After meeting Burmese lawmakers, it will travel to Yangon for a visit to Shwedagon pagoda and a private dinner with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Commenting Clinton’s trip, China called on the United States to lift its sanctions against the Southeast Asian nation.
At the same time though, Beijing appears concerned about a possible rapprochement between the United States and the former Burma. A recent vitriolic editorial in the Global Times, which is close to the Chinese Communist Party, warned Washington not to impinge on its interests in the area, especially in the energy field.
Recently, Burmese President Thein Sein caused a stir and consternation in Beijing when he ordered the suspension to the construction of the Myistone dam in Kachin territory.
Finally, a touch of the unusual. Whilst international media focused on Clinton’s trip to Myanmar, Burmese authorities rolled out the red carpet for Belarus Prime Minister Mikhail Myasnikovich, with greater pomp and ceremony than for the US Secretary of State.
The Belarus leader was welcomed today in the Burmese capital by President Thein Sein. In his three-day ‘good will’ visit, the Belarus leader will focus on bilateral trade and weapons sales, dissident online journal Democratic Voice of Burma reported.
In the past, Belarus, which is Europe’s last soft dictatorship under Alexander Lukashenko, sold Mig 29 and other weapons to Myanmar.
"I am here because President (Barack) Obama and myself are encouraged by the steps that you and your government have taken to provide for your people," Ms Clinton told President Thein Sein in the capital, Naypyidaw.
The US secretary of state called on Burma to release all political prisons and end conflicts with the country’s ethnic minorities.
For his part, Burmese President Thein Sein hailed the visit as a "new chapter" in relations with the US, praising the positive atmosphere created.
The talks include military relations between Naypyidaw and Pyongyang. North Korea is said to have provide Burma with nuclear technology and materiel.
However, an anonymous US official stressed that nothing indicates that Burma is pursuing any important nuclear programme even though missile technology in the hands of the Burmese military remains a concern.
Led by Secretary Clinton, the US delegation continues its diplomatic mission today according to schedule. After meeting Burmese lawmakers, it will travel to Yangon for a visit to Shwedagon pagoda and a private dinner with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Commenting Clinton’s trip, China called on the United States to lift its sanctions against the Southeast Asian nation.
At the same time though, Beijing appears concerned about a possible rapprochement between the United States and the former Burma. A recent vitriolic editorial in the Global Times, which is close to the Chinese Communist Party, warned Washington not to impinge on its interests in the area, especially in the energy field.
Recently, Burmese President Thein Sein caused a stir and consternation in Beijing when he ordered the suspension to the construction of the Myistone dam in Kachin territory.
Finally, a touch of the unusual. Whilst international media focused on Clinton’s trip to Myanmar, Burmese authorities rolled out the red carpet for Belarus Prime Minister Mikhail Myasnikovich, with greater pomp and ceremony than for the US Secretary of State.
The Belarus leader was welcomed today in the Burmese capital by President Thein Sein. In his three-day ‘good will’ visit, the Belarus leader will focus on bilateral trade and weapons sales, dissident online journal Democratic Voice of Burma reported.
In the past, Belarus, which is Europe’s last soft dictatorship under Alexander Lukashenko, sold Mig 29 and other weapons to Myanmar.
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