John Kerry meets with Myanmar commander-in-chief during visit

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• published: 23 May 2016
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We are in social networks: https://twitter.com/World_news_news https://plus.google.com/u/0/112754720615877026822 ______________________________________________________________ US Secretary of State John Kerry meets with Myanmar Commander-in-chief Min Aung Hlaing during a one day visit to Naypyitaw. Secretary of State Kerry urges further reforms in Myanmar and says the U.S. 'strongly supports the democratic transition' taking place after some sanctions on the country are lifted. Secretary of State John Kerry visited Myanmar to urge its new civilian-led government to reform its free markets, development and human rights as it shifts from military leadership into a democratic nation. Speaking with Myanmar's foreign minister and de facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, after talks in the capital of Naypyidaw on Sunday, Kerry pledged continuing U.S. support for the country. He also hailed progress it has made since Suu Kyi's political party took office in late March after winning historic elections that ended decades of military control. 'We strongly support the democratic transition that is taking place here,' Kerry said. His visit came less than a week after the Obama administration lifted sanctions against ten state-run companies and banks, changing penalties imposed while Myanmar was under military rule. The administration, however, left in place restrictions on trade and investment with the nation's still-powerful military. The changes are intended to spur more U.S. investment and support economic growth under the new government, but also to encourage more reforms. The U.S. waived its longstanding bans on investment and trade in 2012 after Myanmar began political and economic reforms. However, it kept restrictions on dozens of companies and individuals designated by the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control because they oppose reform. Some were given restrictions because they are implicated in human rights abuses and military trade with North Korea. In addition, the U.S. continues to ban the import of jade and rubies from Myanmar. 'The key to the lifting of the (remaining) sanctions is really the progress that is made within Myanmar in continuing to move down the road of democratization,' Kerry said. 'It is very difficult to complete that journey, in fact impossible to complete that journey, with the current constitution.' He called for the charter to be revised to fully respect civilian authority and clearly spell out a separation of powers among various branches of government as well as protect minority rights and promote inclusivity. He said he raised those issues with the commander in chief of Myanmar's military before departing later Sunday to join President Barack Obama on a visit to Vietnam. Suu Kyi said she did not believe the remaining sanctions would stay in place for long, but did not look at them as a punishment.