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U.S. Department of State Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Travel to Burma

By US Embassy Rangoon  •  May 20, 2011

U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State (DAS) for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Joseph Yun has just concluded a three-day visit to Burma. His May 18-20 trip was the first by a Washington-based official to meet with leaders of Burma’s post-election government. DAS Yun’s trip reflects the United States’ ongoing efforts to engage directly with the government and to consult with a diverse range of stakeholders including democracy and ethnic leaders, businesspeople, and civil society representatives.

During his visit, DAS Yun’s delegation held introductory meetings with senior government officials, including the new Foreign Minister, a Deputy Speaker of the lower house of Parliament, and the Chief Minister of Bago Region. During these discussions, DAS Yun reiterated the United States’ willingness to improve bilateral relations through principled engagement, while maintaining that progress would depend on the Burmese government taking meaningful, concrete steps toward democratic governance, respect for human rights, and the release of all political prisoners in line with the aspirations of the Burmese people and the international community.

DAS Yun also conveyed U.S. concerns about Burma’s military relationship with North Korea and called on the government to abide by its public commitments to uphold UN Security Council resolutions in that regard.

DAS Yun and his team met with pro-democracy and ethnic minority leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi and leaders of the National League for Democracy. DAS Yun and Aung San Suu Kyi had a useful conversation about how best to promote inclusive dialogue and national reconciliation to fulfill the needs and desires of all Burmese.

Tags: United States, US Embassy Rangoon

This post is in: Press Release

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