US Should Keep Burma on Reform Path, Congress Told
A US official and rights experts praised Burma’s human rights reforms, but warned that the US should maintain pressure on Naypyidaw to continue reforms.
Speakers at an event organized by the Brookings Institution in Washington say Burma’s economic reforms are irreversible, but still far from complete.
The new Secretary of State John Kerry will continue current US policy on Burma, the State Department said. Kerry also met with Burmese women leaders.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton calls dramatically improved relations with Burma one of the most important achievements of her tenure as America’s top diplomat.
As Burma rises to its highest level ever in a worldwide media-freedom survey, two other Southeast Asian countries suffer serious setbacks.
The US has stopped short of criticizing the Burmese government over its handling of the Kachin conflict, despite growing concerns over local Kachin civilians’ safety.
Burma’s under-18 national basketball team meets with NBA players of the Washington Wizards and Charlotte Bobcats during a US-Burma sports exchange program.
Scores of protesters rally over the weekend at the White House, urging US President Barack Obama to intervene as war escalates in north Burma.
Overseas Kachin groups have urged the US and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi to pressure the Burmese government to end fighting in Kachin State.
The UK joins the growing international criticism of the conflict between the Burmese army and Kachin rebels, saying it was “deeply concerned” about the fighting.
A bipartisan congressional report says that human rights considerations will remain a key factor in determining whether US lawmakers decide to lift sanctions on Burma.
The United States and the United Nations express serious concern over the government army’s recent air strikes in Burma’s northernmost state.
The Pentagon considers boosting ties through training of Burmese officers, humanitarian assistance, military medicine and defense reform, a senior defense department official said.
A UN committee praises Burma’s reforms, but urges the government to deal with Arakan State violence and better protect local Rohingya Muslim’s rights.
The International Crisis Group will present Burmese President Thein Sein with the top honor at its annual In Pursuit of Peace Award Dinner in April.
The International Monetary Fund praises Burma’s economic reform process and projects a modest acceleration of economic growth in 2012/13.
Nine top US universities form an academic partnership to help Burma rebuild its higher education capacity, a day after US President Barack Obama’s historic visit.
The Rohingya community in the United States welcomes US President Barack Obama’s speech in Rangoon while urging him not to ignore human rights issues.
US lawmakers, Burmese minority groups and human rights organizations call on President Barack Obama to highlight ethnic rights during his visit to Burma on Monday.
The White House defends steps being taken by the Burmese government to address rising sectarian violence in Burma as rights groups protest Obama’s visit.
