US wary of Burma reshuffle

The United States reacted cautiously Tuesday after Burma’s prime minister, General Thein Sein, and 22 other ministers last week retired from their military posts and the premier created a new party.

Thein Sein [left] lines up alongside senior junta ministers (Reuters)

“It may be seen as a possible positive step, but we’ll be guided by the actions that Burma takes,” state department spokesman Philip Crowley told reporters.

President Barack Obama’s administration, which has begun engaging diplomatically with Burma, said it will judge the regime on “whether it opens up,” whether or not the resignations amount to “wolves changing to sheep’s clothing.”

On 26 April, General Thein Sein and some 22 other ministers retired from their military posts in a move seen as converting the leadership to civilian status ahead of elections due this year.

Four days after the announcements, state media reported that Thein Sein applied to form a new political party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party.

“What Burma needs to do is to open up real, genuine political space, not just for ex-generals, but also for all people who want to participate constructively in Burmese society,” Crowley said.

“That’s what they need to do, and that’s what they have been reluctant to do,” he added.

Crowley recalled US criticism of a new election law which he said fell short of international standards.

Under new election laws unveiled March 10, Myanmar opposition icon Aung San Suu Kyi faced exclusion from her own party and was barred from standing in the polls along with other political prisoners.

“Burma has to open up political space. It has to have a meaningful dialogue with, you know, all of its ethnic groups within Burma,” Crowley said.

“If these individuals transforming themselves from generals to civilians can open up that space, then that we would truly see as a positive step,” he said.

Source :http://www.dvb.no/elections/us-wary-of-burma-reshuffle/8912