U.N. chief to visit Myanmar, praises democratic reforms

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said on late Monday he would visit Myanmar at the invitation of the country’s president, calling for him and the opposition to make more progress toward democratic reform.

Mr. Ban said he would leave New York this weekend, on his third visit to Myanmar, where he will meet with President Thein Sein and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and congratulate them personally for advancing democracy. He visited Myanmar in 2008 and 2009.

Mr. Ban said he welcomed the “positive international response” to Myanmar, including the United States’ and European Union’s decisions to suspend sanctions imposed previously on Myanmar to push for democratic reform.

“We need to see more such progress, more international support for Myanmar’s efforts to reform and bring about democratic change,” Mr. Ban told reporters after meeting with the Group of Friends of Myanmar to discuss his upcoming visit.

“On this visit, I look forward to personally congratulating President Thein Sein and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi,” he said. “Working together, they have come far. Working together, I am confident that they will go further still.” “And together, we will explore the many tangible and practical ways in which the UN can help,” he said. “The government of Myanmar and its people have embarked on a path of reconciliation, democratization and development to build a better future for all.

They deserve our full support.” Ban called for an agreement to resolve the stand-off in Myanmar’s Parliament, where Ms. Suu Kyi and members of her National League for Democracy who won seats in the Parliament have not been sworn in due to a dispute about the wording of the oath they are required to take.

He said a solution should be found to end the stalemate “for the further democratization of their country.”