US Envoy To Make First Trip to Burma

Posted September 6th, 2011 at 5:20 pm (UTC-5)
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The United States says the new U.S. special envoy to Burma is making his first trip to the Asian country since he was appointed last month.

The U.S. State Department says Derek Mitchell leaves for Burma on Wednesday.

It says he will meet with government officials while in Burma as well as members of political parties and civil society organizations.

The State Department says the trip is part of the U.S. policy to engage Burma and is aimed at bringing about “genuine reform, reconciliation and development” for the Burmese people.

Mitchell will travel to Burma's capital Naypyidaw on Friday and will then continue his meetings in the country's main city Rangoon. After visiting Burma, Mitchell will meet with officials in Thailand and Indonesia to discuss the situation in Burma.

Mitchell was previously a senior U.S. defense official for Asia-Pacific affairs. The new post signals a switch in U.S. policy

after analysts advised President Obama in 2009 that U.S. sanctions imposed on Burma's government were not working. The Obama administration has since worked with congressional leaders to craft a policy of engagement with the Burmese government.