Junta Chief Visits China as Election Approaches
 |
| Chinese President Hu Jintao, left, and Burma’s military junta leader Snr-Gen Than Shwe, right, review the Chinese People’s Liberation Army honor guards during a welcoming ceremony. (Photo: AFP) |
A Burmese delegation led by regime leader Snr-Gen Than Shwe concluded a five-day visit to China on Sept. 11 after winning Beijing’s backing for Burma’s first election in 20 years, set to take place on Nov. 7. The state-run
New Light of Myanmar reported that Chinese President Hu Jintao “expressed thanks for the clarification of the plans for the elections and ... fully believed the Myanmar [Burmese] government would achieve success in development and the transition process.” It also said that China vowed “not to accept and support any groups who would carry out anti-Myanmar government movements in border areas”—a reference to ethnic armed groups based along Burma’s northern border with China, who continue to resist pressure to form border guard forces under Burmese military command ahead of the election.
Obama Meets Asean Leaders in New York
 |
| US President Barack Obama, center, flanked by leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. (Photo: AFP) |
US President Barack Obama and leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) met in New York on Sept. 24 on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session. In a joint statement, the US and Asean said they are committed to strengthening relations and underscored the growing strategic importance of their relationship. The summit focused on economic as well as global and regional issues, including non-proliferation, counter-terrorism efforts and climate change. Obama also renewed his call on Burma’s junta to embark on a process of national reconciliation by releasing all political prisoners and holding a free and fair election in November.
UN ‘Group of Friends’: Free Suu Kyi, Political Prisoners
 |
| Members of the Hong Kong Coalition for a Free Burma protest the election. (Photo: AP) |
The 14-nation “Group of Friends” on Burma, formed by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, urged the Burmese military junta to make the November election inclusive, participatory and transparent, and repeated its call for the release of all political prisoners, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. Meanwhile, a Washington-based legal group, Freedom Now, said that Suu Kyi must be released by Nov. 13 when she completes her current 18-month sentence. The group’s assessment is consistent with a public comment by Burmese Minister for Home Affairs Maung Oo in January that Suu Kyi “will be released this November.”
Suu Kyi’s Mentor Dies
 |
| Thakin Ohn Myint |
Thakin Ohn Myint, regarded as Aung San Suu Kyi’s mentor as well as her father’s colleague and confidante during Burma’s struggle to end British colonial rule, died peacefully at his home in Rangoon at the age of 92.
E-MAIL
PRINT
COMMENTS (0)