Diplomatic Briefing
Your exclusive news aggregator handpicked daily!Archive for Myanmar
Newsline: Obama names Myanmar ambassador
President Barack Obama Thursday eased investment sanctions on Myanmar and named the first US ambassador to the country in 22 years, seeking to reward an easing of “iron fist” rule. Obama nominated Derek Mitchell, who has been serving as the State Department’s special representative to Myanmar, as US ambassador, pending confirmation by the US Senate. Washington withdrew its ambassador to Myanmar, also known as Burma, after a crackdown on a democracy uprising in 1988 and elections won by Suu Kyi’s democracy movement in 1990 that were never recognized by the junta. But Obama, seeking maximum leverage on Myanmar’s nominally civilian government and to preserve his options in case of “backsliding,” maintained wider US sanctions on Myanmar and figures linked to the former junta. “As an iron fist has unclenched in Burma, we have extended our hand, and are entering a new phase in our engagement on behalf of a more democratic and prosperous future for the Burmese people,” Obama said in a statement. The US government will now license certain types of investment in financial services and allow US businesses to work in Myanmar, though will ensure that those who abuse human rights and seek to slow progress do not benefit. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who made a historic trip to Myanmar in December, also pressed the authorities to release more political prisoners, after meeting Myanmar Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin.
http://www.mysinchew.com/node/73617
Newsline: US, EU to upgrade diplomatic relations with Myanmar
The United States said last week it will ease restrictions on investment to Myanmar and quickly appoint an ambassador as it seeks to boost reformers who allowed landmark elections in the long-closed nation. In its latest gestures under a three-year diplomatic drive on Myanmar, the US said on April 24 it would step up aid and allow select officials to visit but stopped short of easing the bulk of its sanctions. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hailed the “leadership and courage” of President U Thein Sein after the opposition swept by-elections on April 1 and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi won her first seat in parliament. Officials said they were deciding the exact measures and timeframe but that one priority would be to allow the use of credit cards in Myanmar, one of the few nations where MasterCard, Visa and American Express are never accepted. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, the top senator from the rival Republican Party, whose approval is critical to confirm an ambassador, gave his “support in principle” to the measures announced by Ms Clinton. President Barack Obama’s administration opened talks with Myanmar after taking office in 2009, concluding that years of Western efforts to isolate the then military leadership had failed. Three years later, Myanmar is arguably a top showcase for Obama’s foreign policy as he seeks re-election, with the Republicans sharply criticising his earlier outreach to other US foes such as Iran and Syria. Some analysts attribute Myanmar’s shift to an unease over reliance on China, which has an outsized economic and political influence in its strategically placed neighbour. The European Union has also been seeking to reward Myanmar and is leaning toward a “substantial” removal of sanctions, a senior EU diplomat said in Brussels.
http://www.mmtimes.com/2012/news/622/news62202.html
Newsline: U.S., British diplomats observe Myanmar peace talks
Three foreign diplomats attended the peace talks between the Karenni National Progressive Party [KNPP] and the Burmese government delegation on Wednesday. The two sides agreed to a cease-fire during state-level negotiations. The Burmese government peace delegation including union level ministers. Both sides agreed to a cease-fire, to open Karenni liaison offices in suitable locations and to hold union-level peace talks at a later date. It was the third meeting between the government and KNPP. Previous meetings were held on November 2011 and February 2012. Seven union government ministers also attended the meeting. The KNPP was formed in 1957.
http://www.mizzima.com/news/inside-burma/6728-us-british-diplomats-observe-karenni-govt-peace-talks.html
Newsline: US to restore full diplomatic ties with Myanmar
The United States is restoring full diplomatic relations with Myanmar, a landmark in the Obama administration’s drive to reward democratic reforms by a government the U.S. previously treated as a pariah. The decision to exchange ambassadors with Myanmar for the first time in two decades followed the release of hundreds of political prisoners, but Washington probably will be looking for fair conduct in coming elections and an end to ethnic violence before it lifts sanctions. The U.S. also wants Myanmar to open up to U.N. nuclear inspectors and sever illicit military ties with North Korea because of concerns that Pyongyang has sold Myanmar defense hardware, including missiles, in defiance of international sanctions. Myanmar President Thein Sein pardoned 651 detainees on Friday, among them leaders of brutally repressed democratic uprisings, heads of ethnic minority groups, journalists and even a former prime minister who had been blamed himself for incarcerating activists. The U.S. decision follows a historic visit by Hillary Rodham Clinton in December, the first by a secretary of state in 56 years, as a way to deepen engagement and encourage more openness in the country. That is part of a broader administration policy to step up U.S. involvement across the Asia-Pacific region as well as a way to counter the growing influence of China, which has remained Myanmar’s core ally during its decades of isolation. The highest-level U.S. diplomat based in Myanmar, also known as Burma, has been a charge d’affaires rather than an ambassador. Washington downgraded its representation in 1990, when opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s party swept elections but was barred from power by the military. Myanmar’s own diplomatic representation in Washington also currently is a step below the level of ambassador. Clinton cautioned that exchanging ambassadors is a lengthy process — any candidate for U.S. ambassador requires Senate confirmation — and that the process would depend on continued progress toward reform. The U.S. limits diplomatic relations with several countries for political reasons. In countries without a U.S. ambassador, such as Venezuela, a charge d’affaires is usually entrusted with directing diplomacy. The diplomat would lack the same standing as an envoy appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. In the cases of Iran and North Korea, with which Washington has broken off diplomatic relations entirely, no American diplomats are posted.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/01/13/us-to-normalize-myanmar-ties-rewarding-reforms/
Newsline: US top diplomat seeks Suu Kyi blessing
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sought the blessing Friday of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi for a US push to reconcile with Burma, after Washington offered the regime a fresh start in relations. In a meeting unthinkable little more than a year ago, Clinton began in-depth talks with the Nobel laureate at the crumbling lakeside mansion in Rangoon where Suu Kyi spent most of the past two decades as a prisoner in her own home. Clinton greeted the slender but indomitable opposition leader with a kiss on both cheeks as she arrived at her home, while a small crowd of reporters waited outside. The top US diplomat was on the final day of a historic three-day visit to the nation formerly known asBurmain which she offered incremental concessions to the regime, including easing restrictions on foreign assistance. Suu Kyi and Clinton, two of the world’s best-known women, met face-to-face for the first time Thursday for a private dinner at which the Secretary of State hand-delivered a personal letter from President Barack Obama. The message thanked Suu Kyi for her “inspiration” to people around the world and said the United States would stand by her “now and always”. The Nobel Peace laureate is widely admired inWashingtonand her support is politically indispensable there for any move to reconcile withBurma. In an unusual move, Clinton dispensed with her aides and dined alone with Suu Kyi on Thursday at the lakeside residence of the top Rangoon-based US diplomat. A US official said they enjoyed local curries and other delicacies which the consulate’s chef believed to be Suu Kyi’s favourites. Clinton briefed Suu Kyi on her talks earlier Thursday in Burma’s remote new showcase capital Naypyidaw, where she gave an upbeat assessment of President Thein Sein and his desire to shake off decades of military rule. “TheUnited States is prepared to walk the path of reform with you if you choose to keep moving in that direction. And there’s no doubt that direction is the right one for the people,”Clintontold reporters in Naypyidaw. Clinton also delivered a letter from Obama to Thein Sein, offering a “new phase” in ties in return for “tangible outcomes” on political reform. She offered no major concessions but said that theUnited Stateswould support UN-backed development assistance to Burma. But Clintonsaid thatBurmamust do more to warrant a removal of sweeping sanctions. US congressional law, championed by pro-Suu Kyi exiles, requires sanctions and forcesWashingtonto vote against funding toBurmaat global financial institutions. If the government makes more progress, Clinton said that theUnited States could ease sanctions and appoint a fully-fledged ambassador in Burma. The United States has been represented at a lower level for two decades as a protest overBurma’s decision to ignore a 1990 election in which Suu Kyi’s allies won a sweeping victory.
Newsline: 2nd Myanma rdiplomat defects in Washington
A former Myanmar envoy inWashingtonsays another diplomat at that mission has followed him in seeking political asylum in the United States. Former deputy chief of mission Kyaw Win tells The Associated Press that first secretary Soe Aung defected Wednesday after he was ordered back toMyanmar. Kyaw Win said his own defection July 4 had prompted Myanmar authorities to summon Soe Aung for questioning. Kyaw Win had accused Myanmar’s military of clinging to power in the Asian country. State Department deputy spokesman Mark Toner said the department does not publicly comment on asylum requests unless the individual publicly announces the request. Soe Aung could not immediately be reached by phone. Aung Din of the U.S. Campaign for Burma confirmed the defection.
Newsline: Number two at Burma embassy in US seeks asylum
The second highest-ranking diplomat at Myanmar’s embassy in Washingtonhas defected and is seeking US political asylum, Radio Free Asia has reported. Kyaw Win, the embassy’s deputy chief of mission, told RFA that government ofBurmahas failed to begin a transition to democracy following elections in November, and that he fears “my life and those of my family are in danger.” “Senior military officials are consolidating their grip on power and seeking to stamp out the voices of those seeking democracy,” Kyaw Win, 59, told RFA. Kyaw Win is a career diplomat who has worked forBurma’s Foreign Ministry for 31 years, serving in places like Madrid, Geneva, New Delhi and Brasilia. Kyaw Win also warned that government threats against democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi “must be taken seriously.”Burma’s army “has been corrupted” and has become “an oppressor of the people, not a defender of the people,” he told RFA.
Newsline: US envoy ends Myanmar mission with doubts
A senior U.S. diplomat says he still has concerns about human rights in Myanmar and the country’s relations with North Koreaafter a visit to the Southeast Asian nation. A U.S. Embassy statement said Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Joseph Yun concluded the three-day trip Friday after meeting with officials, ethnic minority representatives and pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. In his meetings, Yun reiterated the United States’ willingness to improve relations but said it would depend on the government’s “taking meaningful, concrete steps toward democratic governance, respect for human rights and the release of all political prisoners.” He also expressed concerns about Myanmar’s military relationship with North Korea, which is a weapons supplier.
Newsline: UN Envoy to Visit Burma
Acting UN Special Envoy to Burma Vijay Nambiar is scheduled to visit Burma on Thursday, with his main agenda being to forge new ties with the new government. AlthoughBurma’s new president, Thein Sein, is undecided on whether he will meet with Nambiar, Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin is scheduled to have a meeting with him, said the official. Nambiar is the UN’s first leading figure to visitBurmasince President Thein Sein was sworn in on March 30. However, opposition sources said the UN must includeBurma’s national reconciliation on its agenda. Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, accompanied by the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC), will meet the UN envoy at her lakeside home inRangoon. Indian diplomat Vijay Nambiar, who is also UN chief of staff under Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon, met with Suu Kyi on Nov. 22 during his first official trip to Burma. Suu Kyi commented that the talks were “valuable” and that they “may need many and frequent meetings to sort out all the problems we are facing.” Nambiar is also scheduled to meet with representatives of up to 10 political parties, including the National Democratic Front (NDF)’s CEC, on Friday at the office of the United Nations, said Khin Maung Shwe, a leading NDF member.
Newsline: US nominates defense official as Myanmar envoy
President Barrack Obama nominated a defense official asU.S.special envoy toMyanmarwith the tough job of negotiating with its military-dominated government and pushing for reform. Derek Mitchell will have the rank of a State Department ambassador if confirmed by the Senate in the position, which was mandated in 2008 legislation but has yet to be filled. Mitchell, aChinascholar with wide experience inAsia, is principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for Asian and Pacific security affairs. Early in his career, he worked on the foreign policy staff of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., and then for a Taiwanese newspaper, China Post. He has also held positions at Washington-based think tanks, including the Center for Strategic and International Studies. As special representative and policy coordinator forBurma, asMyanmaris also known, Mitchell would be charged with speaking with the government and opposition leaders, coordinatingU.S.policy and working with the international community.
http://us.foxnews.mobi/quickPage.html?page=26048&external=854910.proteus.fma
