Washington: Ahead of his visit to Myanmar, US President Barack Obama has called for an “inclusive and credible” election process in the country next year and asked the government to take “additional steps” for peace in the strife-torn Rakhine state.
Obama on Thursday spoke to Myanmar President Thein Sein and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi over phone and discussed a number of issues.
“Obama underscored the need for an inclusive and credible process for conducting the 2015 elections. He reiterated the United States’ firm commitment to helping the people of Burma achieve a more free, open, and prosperous nation. “Obama and Thein Sein discussed the status of Burma’s ongoing political and economic reforms.
The President stressed the importance of the government of Burma taking “additional steps” to address the tensions and the humanitarian situation in Rakhine State including through revisions to the Rakhine Action Plan and other measures to support the civil and political rights of the Rohingya population,” the White House said in a statement.
In the western state of Rakhine, deadly violence between Buddhists and minority Rohingya Muslims left about 200 people dead and around 140,000 displaced.
In his conversation with Thein Sein, Obama discussed his upcoming visit to Myanmar as it hosts the 25th ASEAN Summit in November.
He welcomed the commitment of Thein Sein and his government to the peace process and said every effort should be made conclude a national ceasefire in the short term.
While talking to his fellow Noble Laureate Suu Kyi, Obama discussed the status of ongoing political and economic reforms and the need to ensure an inclusive and credible process for conducting the 2015 elections.
Myanmar’s last general elections in 2010. (PTI)
