US secretary of state urges reforms and charter changes in Burma



NAYPYITAW: -- US Secretary of State John Kerry on Sunday urged the National League of Democracy-led government to complete Burma’s transition to democracy by implementing further reforms to enshrine free market, development and human rights.

After talks with Burma’s foreign minister and de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi in capital Naypydaw, Kerry pledged continuing US support for Burma and hailed progress the country has made since the NLD took office in March, reported the Irrawaddy on Sunday.

The US administration recently lifted sanctions against state-run companies and banks but left in place restrictions on trade and investment with the powerful military, dozens of companies and individuals designated by the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control because they oppose reforms or are implicated in human rights abuses.

Kerry called for the constitution to be revised to fully respect civilian authority and clearly spell out a separation of powers format, noting that the transition to democracy is impossible with the current charter intact.

Suu Kyi, meanwhile, said she didn’t believe the remaining sanctions would stay in place for long. “The time will come soon that the US will know that this is no longer the time for sanctions,” she said.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/164294


-- Thai PBS 2016-05-23

As usual US sticking it's beak into other country's affair......Why doesn't he, President Obama & other influential politicians seek to change US federal laws to limit/ control the acquisition/possession of high powered assault weapons, instead of NRA & weapons manufacturers controlling the situation there own ends?? All the platitudes & condolences fade away, till the next major incident; US is just a money driven society, who really cares little for it's citizens.

Successive Presidents have done little to bring about changes to gun laws.

It's time for US to wake up & fix it's own major problem!!!