US calls on Myanmar president to release remaining political prisoners

YANGON: -- The Myanmar Times reported that a senior US State Department official on Monday called on President U Thein Sein to release remaining political prisoners before the end of his term in March.

Antony Blinken, the US Deputy Secretary of State, met separately in Nay Pyi Taw with Thein Sein, Aung San Suu Kyi and Army Commander-in-Chief Vice Senior General Soe Win to discuss the transfer of power to the new government following the landslide win of the National League for Democracy in Nov 8 general election.

Blinken told a news conference that the US would continue to support Myanmar’s democratic transition, and that it expected continued economic progress, national reconciliation and human rights improvements.

“Long-term economic growth must be nurtured and it must be sustained; the national reconciliation process must continue; remaining political prisoners must be released; and human rights protected for all no matter their ethnicity or religion,” he said.

The release of political prisoners was a key focus of his meeting with President U Thein Sein, who has released some – but not all – political prisoners.

Blinken said the president should release all remaining prisoners before his term ends in late March to solidify his legacy.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/147342


-- Thai PBS 2016-01-20

And meanwhile in Thailand........,.,...............................

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