US takes significant step in rehabilitation of Burma

US SECRETARY of state Hillary Clinton is to make an historic trip to Burma as part of international efforts to encourage the country’s reclusive regime along the path of reform.

The visit – the first by an American state secretary in half a century – follows what President Barack Obama described as “flickers of progress” towards democracy in the south-east Asian country.

News of the upcoming tour came as Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi declared that her opposition party would rejoin the political process in Burma and register for elections.

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Mr Obama made the announcement of Mrs Clinton’s visit following a phone call with Ms Suu Kyi, who was released last year after 15 years of house arrest.

Noting some progress in relaxing media restrictions, releasing political prisoners and engaging in dialogue with the opposition leader, the president talked of an “historic opportunity” for reform in the country.

He added: “After years of darkness, we’ve seen flickers of progress in these last several weeks.”

He praised Burmese president Thein Sein for taking “important steps” but warned that the country needed to open up further if it were to be embraced by the international community.

“If Burma fails to move down the path of reform, it will continue to face sanctions and isolation. But if it seizes this moment, then reconciliation can prevail, and millions of people may get the chance to live with a greater measure of freedom, prosperity, and dignity,” Mr Obama said.

The decision by Ms Suu Kyi to re-engage in the political process is being seen as a major move towards national reconciliation.

Her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD) won a majority of seats in general elections held in 1990, but the military junta refused to recognise the results.

After years of repression, the NLD refused to take part in last year’s elections, citing a law that would have forced them to expel imprisoned members from the party.

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However, in recent months, the newly-installed nominally civilian government – formed in March after years of military rule – has made overtures to those calling for reform.

It has freed around 230 political prisoners, suspended an unpopular Chinese-funded dam project, and lifted the clause that had prevented the NLD from registering.

Earlier this week, members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), announced that it would allow the country to head the regional body in 2014.

The European Union described the decision by Ms Suu Kyi to list her party for the country’s elections as “encouraging”, adding it was reviewing its stance towards Burma.

Michael Mann, a spokesman for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, said that the regional body would “respond to positive events in the country”, leaving the door open for a further easing of sanctions.

However, Mr Obama added: “We remain concerned about Burma’s closed political system, its treatment of minorities and holding of political prisoners, and its relationship with North Korea,” he said.

Murray Hiebert, deputy director of the Southeast Asia programme at the Washington-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies, said the decision to send Ms Clinton to Burma was a “significant” move.

“The US doesn’t even have an ambassador there, so to send a secretary of state is a significant development.”