JAPAN: Myanmar FM Wunna Muang Lwin and Japanese counterpart Koichi Gemba hold first bilateral talks between the two countries in 16 years
Record ID:
463574
JAPAN: Myanmar FM Wunna Muang Lwin and Japanese counterpart Koichi Gemba hold first bilateral talks between the two countries in 16 years
- Title: JAPAN: Myanmar FM Wunna Muang Lwin and Japanese counterpart Koichi Gemba hold first bilateral talks between the two countries in 16 years
- Date: 22nd October 2011
- Summary: TOKYO, JAPAN (OCTOBER 21, 2011) (REUTERS) ***CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTER KOICHI GEMBA AND MYANMAR FOREIGN MINISTER WUNNA MUANG LWIN WALKING INTO ROOM TOGETHER GEMBA AND LWIN SHAKING HANDS JAPANESE AND MYANMAR DELEGATION SEATED AT TABLE VARIOUS OF JAPAN AND MYANMAR FOREIGN MINISTER TALKING TO EACH OTHER EXTERIOR OF MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF JAPAN BUILDING. PROTESTERS LINING UP IN FRONT OF MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF JAPAN BUILDING. PROTESTERS SHOUTING HOLDING SIGNS AND POSTERS MORE OF PROTESTERS SHOUTING HOLDING SIGNS AND POSTERS. (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) 35-YEAR-OLD OFFICE WORKER ANN NANDA AUNG, SAYING: "If we allow the Japanese government to support the current Myanmar government, it will help the Myanmar government, but it won't help their citizens. So I want them to stop." PROTESTERS SHOUTING AND HOLDING SIGNS WOMAN HOLDING SIGN READING: "FORGET THEM, NOT FREEDOM FOR ALL" MORE OF PROTESTERS SHOUTING WOMAN IN WHEELCHAIR HOLDING SIGN PROTESTERS LINING UP WITH SIGNS AND POSTERS
- Embargoed: 6th November 2011 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Japan, Japan
- Country: Japan
- Topics: International Relations,Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA7TGFR79AH0OYZN1FZKJVW1GS6
- Story Text: Myanmar's foreign minister Wunna Muang Lwin met with Japanese Foreign minister Koichiro Gemba on Friday (October 21) in another sign that one of the world's most isolated states is beginning to open up after it freed hundreds of political prisoners this week.
Wunna Maung Lwin's visit will be the nation's first as foreign minister in 16 years.
In a statement issued by the foreign ministry, Gemba welcomed the release of prisoners as a positive step and offered Japan's support in Myanmar's transition towards democracy.
Myanmar's army, which has ruled the former British colony for half a century, formally handed over power in March to a civilian president, a retired general, who has begun reforms aimed at reviving an economy crippled by sanctions over human rights abuses.
Myanmar, also known as Burma, released about 200 political detainees on October 12th following some loosening of media controls and more dialogue with pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Japan froze new development assistance to Myanmar in 2003, while continuing humanitarian aid. It restored development help in June and the Foreign Ministry has said it may make further moves if political prisoners are released.
It announced the resumption of its official development assistance last Tuesday (October 15), and the ministry plans to resume mutual visits by key government officials.
Japan's biggest business lobby, the Keidanren, sent a 20-member delegation to Myanmar in September, the first such mission to the country in eight years.
Not all are, however, happy with these talks.
Around 20 Burmese dissidents and their Japanese supporters protested in front of the Foreign ministry on Friday, most saying they were not content that all the political prisoners had been released.
"If we allow the Japanese government to support the current Myanmar government, it will help the Myanmar government, but it won't help their citizens. So I want them to stop," said 35-year-old office worker Ann Nanda Aung.
Japan is interested in developing Myanmar's rich natural resources, including rare earths, as well as taking part in fixing the nation's poor infrastructure, Kyodo said, quoting government sources. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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