UN Chief Encourages Further Easing of Burma Sanctions

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged a different easing of monetary and political sanctions against Burma Monday, during an unprecedented speech to the country's parliament.

Ban praised President Thein Sein for ushering in a string of dramatic and unexpected reforms since taking office a year ago.

Last week, the eu Union suspended most of its sanctions, except arms sales, following the examples of Australia and Canada, while america maintained sanctions on trade.

The U.N. chief urged the international community to do more to support reform efforts in Burma, also called Myanmar.

"i beg the international community to head even further in lifting, suspending, or easing trade restrictions and other sanctions," he said. "Second, Myanmar needs a considerable increase in international development assistance in addition to foreign direct investment."

The U.N. chief also praised democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's leadership.  Her National League for Democracy Monday backed off a requirement for changes to a constitutional oath required of members of parliament.

"We decided to compromise during this situation because we do not desire to become a political problem. Some people might imagine the NLD has given in, but allow them to think what they would like,"  Aung San Suu Kyi explained according to a reporter's question about why they made the compromise.

NLD members could take the oath as early as Wednesday.  The oath requires politicians to assert they'll “safeguard” the army-drafted constitution as they're sworn in. The NLD members opposed it because they need to amend the charter.

The constitution sets aside 1 / 4 of all seats in parliament for the army and allows it to take over government if there's an “emergency.”

Earlier Monday Ban held meetings with President Thein Sein.  Tuesday he's scheduled to satisfy for the 1st time with Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.  

Ban last visited Burma in 2009 when the army government was still in power, holding Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest, and refusing to let her see the U.N. leader.

The democracy leader was released shortly after the controversial 2010 election that brought the nominally civilian government to power.  

The NLD boycotted the 2010 election because their leader was not allowed to run, but participated in April's by-elections where Aung San Suu Kyi and 42 of her fellow NLD party members won seats.

From WhatNewsToday.net

Posted in: