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Myanmar Politics

Former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's two sons are among about 2,000 names removed from a blacklist in Myanmar, the president's office revealed Thursday.

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Religious clashes devastate Myanmarupdated: Wed Aug 29 2012 08:09:00

A community is destroyed by sectarian violence in Myanmar. ITN has the story.

Aid workers released in Myanmar after pardon, U.N. saysupdated: Wed Aug 29 2012 08:09:00

Myanmar has released three aid workers, including two U.N. employees, who received prison sentences after being detained amid sectarian clashes that killed scores of people in the west of the country in June, a U.N. spokesman said Wednesday.

U.N. envoy warns of 'serious' human rights situation in Myanmarupdated: Sun Aug 05 2012 11:30:00

Sectarian violence has sparked a "serious" human rights situation in western Myanmar, a U.N. envoy said.

Clinton to meet with Myanmar president in recognition of reformsupdated: Thu Jul 12 2012 05:43:00

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will meet Friday with Thein Sein, the president of Myanmar who has overseen a series of political reforms in the Southeast Asian country over the past year, a senior State Department official said.

U.S. eases sanctions on Myanmarupdated: Wed Jul 11 2012 13:56:00

The United States announced Wednesday that it is easing sanctions on Myanmar, also known as Burma, allowing American companies to conduct business in the Southeast Asian nation.

Myanmar's new vice president 'disappoints' reformersupdated: Wed Jul 11 2012 02:37:00

Myanmar's military leaders have nominated a former general considered fiercely loyal to former dictator Senior General Than Shwe to be the country's next vice president.

Myanmar: Open for business and tourismupdated: Wed Jul 11 2012 02:37:00

Several economic factors may slow Myanmar's emergence as a viable investment opportunity. CNN's Paula Hancocks reports.

Will vice president's exit boost Myanmar's reform efforts?updated: Fri Jul 06 2012 03:06:00

The resignation of Myanmar's first vice president could pave the way for the introduction of more reformers into President Thein Sein's government, experts say.

Suu Kyi's 'ambitious' plan for Myanmarupdated: Fri Jul 06 2012 03:06:00

Pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi calls for the rule of law and democratic institutions in Myanmar.

Myanmar's vice president resigns for health reasonsupdated: Wed Jul 04 2012 08:44:00

One of Myanmar's vice presidents has resigned from his post due to health reasons, the government said Wednesday.

Myanmar frees more political prisonersupdated: Tue Jul 03 2012 05:41:00

A prisoner release announced Tuesday by Myanmar authorities includes at least 24 political detainees, a prisoner rights group said.

Sectarian violence testing Myanmarupdated: Thu Jun 21 2012 03:53:00

CNN's Paula Hancocks reports the handling of sectarian violence is seen as a test for Myanmar's government.

12 more die in sectarian violence in Myanmarupdated: Thu Jun 21 2012 03:53:00

A dozen more people have died during ongoing sectarian violence in Myanmar's western state of Rakhine, bringing the death toll from the unrest to 62, a local official said Wednesday.

Death sentences for 2 Muslims in murder case that set off Myanmar unrestupdated: Tue Jun 19 2012 04:07:00

A court in western Myanmar has sentenced two Muslim men to death for robbing, raping and killing a woman last month, a case that provoked sectarian clashes in the area that left at least fifty people dead.

Suu Kyi asks people to invest in Myanmarupdated: Fri Jun 15 2012 01:24:00

Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi calls for people and companies to invest in Myanmar.

Bangladesh turns back refugees amid sectarian violence in Myanmarupdated: Thu Jun 14 2012 06:11:00

Hundreds of Muslims fleeing sectarian violence in Myanmar tried to enter Bangladesh on Wednesday, but many were turned away by the authorities.

Myanmar's Suu Kyi cautions on 'reckless optimism'updated: Fri Jun 01 2012 06:03:00

From her seat on the stage at the World Economic Forum, Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi told a packed room what she was thinking as her plane prepared to land in Thailand for her first foreign trip in 24 years.

Myanmar set for changeupdated: Tue May 01 2012 23:48:00

Could this be the dawn of a new Myanmar? CNN's Paula Hancocks follows the country's fight for democracy.

Press freedom in Myanmarupdated: Tue May 01 2012 05:23:00

CNN's Paula Hancocks speaks to journalists in Myanmar and asks whether government censorship is being relaxed.

U.N. chief visits Myanmar to press government for more reformsupdated: Sun Apr 29 2012 19:31:00

The U.N. chief made a landmark visit to Myanmar on Sunday, the latest high-profile official to descend on the nation as it undergoes economic and political reforms.

EU foreign policy chief visits Myanmarupdated: Sat Apr 28 2012 04:46:00

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton met with Myanmar's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi Saturday, as she became the latest in a series of high-ranking international figures to visit the country.

Suu Kyi victory in Myanmar celebratedupdated: Wed Apr 18 2012 02:06:00

CNN's Becky Anderson talks to Aung Din, Exec. Dir. U.S. Campaign for Burma, about the election victory for Suu Kyi.

Australia softens sanctions on Myanmar; UK favors suspensionupdated: Wed Apr 18 2012 02:06:00

Australia said Monday that it was relaxing sanctions on Myanmar, responding to the Southeast Asian country's political reforms by significantly reducing the number of government officials and lawmakers subject to travel restrictions.

Cameron to take business leaders into Myanmarupdated: Thu Apr 12 2012 22:08:00

British Prime Minister David Cameron will arrive in Myanmar Friday accompanied by a delegation of 10 business leaders -- a measure of how quickly the once reclusive Southeast Asian country is reengaging with the world both diplomatically and economically.

British Prime Minister Cameron to visit Myanmarupdated: Tue Apr 10 2012 05:33:00

Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain is planning to visit Myanmar on Friday, after the pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party won dozens of seats at elections in the Southeast Asian country, a Myanmar government official said Tuesday.

U.S. to ease Myanmar sanctions, open relationsupdated: Wed Apr 04 2012 23:58:00

Responding to Myanmar's parliamentary elections, which Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called a "dramatic demonstration of popular will," the Obama administration is taking several significant steps to normalize relations with the country.

Myanmar confirms sweeping election victory for Suu Kyi's partyupdated: Wed Apr 04 2012 07:44:00

The sweeping victory of Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party in recent elections has been confirmed by state media.

Celebrate Aung San Suu Kyi's victory -- ease sanctions on Myanmar updated: Mon Apr 02 2012 07:31:00

Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's victory in Myanmar's by-elections on Sunday represents the nascent return of opposition politics to the country after nearly half a century of military rule. It also has created an opportunity for the United States to begin easing economic sanctions that are hindering reform.

Election a test of Myanmar's new opennessupdated: Sun Apr 01 2012 04:24:00

If Sunday's by-election in Myanmar is deemed to be free and fair, it will cap off a startling about-turn by the former military men currently running the country.

Myanmar begins historic voteupdated: Sat Mar 31 2012 22:29:00

Voters in Myanmar went to the polls Sunday in a historic election, the first time credible alternatives to the ruling party have appeared on the country's ballot.

CNN Wire Weekend Enterprise Digestupdated: Fri Mar 30 2012 15:31:00

Weekend Supervising News Editors Samira Jafari and Monte Plott - 404-827-1401

Myanmar invites U.S. and EU to observe April electionsupdated: Thu Mar 22 2012 06:04:00

Myanmar has invited the United States and the European Union to send representatives to observe elections in April, according to officials in the region.

Look inside Myanmar's young 'democracy'updated: Wed Mar 14 2012 13:36:00

CNN's Paula Hancocks visits Myanmar's parliament where the military's influence remains clear.

Myanmar to consider allowing neighbors to observe electionsupdated: Tue Feb 21 2012 06:19:00

The Myanmar government will "seriously consider" accepting observers from neighboring countries to monitor elections taking place in April, a regional organization said Tuesday.

EU to lift travel restrictions on Myanmar leadersupdated: Tue Jan 24 2012 00:33:00

European foreign ministers said Monday that they would loosen travel restrictions on senior members of the Myanmar government in recognition of the Southeast Asian country's recent efforts at political reform after decades of military rule.

Clinton: U.S., Myanmar to exchange ambassadorsupdated: Fri Jan 13 2012 16:41:00

The United States and Myanmar will exchange ambassadors for the first time since 1988 in the wake of the Asian country's release of 220 political prisoners, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced Friday.

Myanmar signs cease-fire with rebel group; Suu Kyi joins electionsupdated: Thu Jan 12 2012 22:10:00

Myanmar plans to release 651 prisoners starting Friday, state television reported, one day after the country's leadership announced a cease-fire with an ethnic rebel group that has waged a bitter, decades-long insurgency for greater autonomy.

U.S. Sen. McConnell to meet with Myanmar opposition leaderupdated: Thu Jan 12 2012 18:34:00

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell will meet next week with Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, government officials and U.S. embassy personnel in the Southeast Asia country, he said Thursday.

U.S. officials to meet with Myanmar opposition leaderupdated: Thu Jan 12 2012 07:16:00

U.S. diplomats met with the Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Thursday in another sign of thawing relations between Washington and the Southeast Asian nation.

U.S. officials to meet with Myanmar opposition leaderupdated: Tue Jan 10 2012 07:11:00

U.S. diplomats will meet with Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi this week in another sign of thawing relations between Washington and the Southeast Asian nation.

Hague expresses hopes for democracy in Myanmar after meeting Suu Kyiupdated: Fri Jan 06 2012 04:58:00

The British foreign secretary held talks with the Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Friday, expressing hope that she and her party can help move the Southeast Asian country further along the road to democracy.

Myanmar's health crisisupdated: Fri Jan 06 2012 00:38:00

HIV patients in Myanmar are forced to look for help elsewhere after no government help. Paula Hancocks reports.

Myanmar cuts sentences for independence dayupdated: Wed Jan 04 2012 06:24:00

Myanmar's military rulers marked the country's independence day by commuting sentences and apparently releasing more than 30 prisoners, but opposition activists said Wednesday that the moves were unsatisfactory.

Victims of Myanmar's HIV/AIDS struggleupdated: Sun Dec 18 2011 21:46:00

Ma Soe Soe Kyi's skeletal frame is visible above her blanket; she is too weak to keep her eyes open. Her husband waves away the flies and looks on helplessly.

Where in the world ... ?updated: Mon Dec 05 2011 17:02:00

[Updated 5 p.m. Monday, December 5] A motorcade for U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrives at the parliamentary compound in Naypyidaw, Myanmar, last week.

Secretary of State Clinton leaves Myanmar with a glimmer of hopeupdated: Fri Dec 02 2011 17:08:00

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's admiration for Myanmar democracy activist and former political prisoner Aung San Suu Kyi was hard to miss during her visit to Suu Kyi's home in Yangon. They stood together, hands clasped and all smiles -- and even shared a hug -- at a news conference Friday on Suu Kyi's porch before international journalists.

U.S., Myanmar relations on the mendupdated: Wed Nov 30 2011 08:10:00

Relations between the U.S. and Myanmar appear to be improving. Jonathan Mann reports.

Clinton visit presents opportunity in Myanmarupdated: Wed Nov 30 2011 08:10:00

Hillary Clinton's trip to Myanmar -- the first visit by a U.S. Secretary of State in half a century -- is poised to produce a breakthrough moment in U.S.-Burma relations.

Questioning Myanmar reformsupdated: Wed Nov 30 2011 07:03:00

CNN's Paula Hancocks reports word of political change and Hillary Clinton's visit is scarcely known in Myanmar.

U.S. opens diplomatic door to Myanmarupdated: Sun Nov 20 2011 00:42:00

Experts believe more reforms could come after Hillary Clinton's trip to Myanmar. CNN's Paula Hancocks reports.

Clinton visit to Myanmar raises hopesupdated: Sat Nov 19 2011 11:21:00

The announcement on Friday that U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will travel to Myanmar next month came as a stunning surprise, a sign that human rights advocates, Burmese pro-democracy activists and the West's political strategists may stand within reach of a major victory.

U.S. mission to Myanmarupdated: Fri Nov 18 2011 20:53:00

CNN's Paula Hancocks discusses President Obama's announcement that the U.S. Secretary of State will visit Myanmar.

U.S. to send Secy. Clinton to Myanmarupdated: Fri Nov 18 2011 14:04:00

President Obama announces that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will be going to Myanmar in December.

U.S. to send Hillary Clinton to Myanmarupdated: Fri Nov 18 2011 14:04:00

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton plans to visit Myanmar next month on a trip that could signal a major change in relations between the two countries.

Myanmar: Granting amnesty to prisonersupdated: Wed Oct 12 2011 10:31:00

According to state television, Myanmar will grant amnesty to more than 6,000 prisoners. CNN's Kristie Lu Stout reports.

Change in Myanmar? Prisoner amnesty beginsupdated: Wed Oct 12 2011 10:31:00

Myanmar released dozens of political prisoners Wednesday, among them a well-known comedian and an ethnic Shan general, the latest in a series of moves that could help the isolated nation normalize relations with the West.

Amnesty in Myanmar: real change or a pleasing gesture?updated: Tue Oct 11 2011 20:30:00

Myanmar announced Tuesday it will grant amnesty to 6,300 prisoners on Wednesday, one in a series of recent moves that could help the isolated nation normalize relations with Western nations including the United States.

Index: Which countries are perceived to be the most corrupt?updated: Fri Sep 02 2011 07:54:00

Somalia, Myanmar and Afghanistan have the lowest scores on Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index, which measures how people in 178 countries and territories view corruption in their public sectors.

2010: Reporting from Myanmar complexupdated: Wed Jul 06 2011 06:48:00

CNN's Frederik Pleitgen explains the complexities of reporting from one of the world's most closed countries.

High-ranking Myanmar diplomat seeks asylum in U.S.updated: Wed Jul 06 2011 06:48:00

The second-highest-ranking diplomat at the embassy of Myanmar in Washington has defected and wants to seek asylum in the United States.

Myanmar swears in new presidentupdated: Wed Mar 30 2011 04:18:00

Myanmar's former Prime Minister Thein Sein has been sworn in as the country's new president, marking the end of the military body that has governed the Asian nation for decades, state-run Myanmar Radio reported Wednesday.

Myanmar PM Thein Sein is new presidentupdated: Mon Feb 07 2011 11:48:00

Myanmar's parliament elected Prime Minister Thein Sein to be the country's new president Friday.

Myanmar nominates 5 for presidency but junta head missingupdated: Wed Feb 02 2011 03:26:00

Myanmar's new parliament has nominated five lawmakers and will pick the country's new president from their ranks in the coming days. A notable absence on the list is Than Shwe, the highest-ranking figure in Myanmar's junta.

Parliament opens in Myanmar after 20 year lapseupdated: Mon Jan 31 2011 10:32:00

Myanmar convened its first parliament in more than two decades on Monday in the capital, Naypyidaw.

Suu Kyi's son leaves Myanmar after long-awaited reunionupdated: Tue Dec 07 2010 01:38:00

The younger son of political activist Aung San Suu Kyi left Myanmar Tuesday after a long-awaited visit with his mother, from whom he'd been separated for a decade.

Myanmar leader pondered buying Manchester Unitedupdated: Mon Dec 06 2010 14:19:00

It turns out that the military regime in Myanmar is soccer-crazy and even pondered buying world-famous club Manchester United, according to a U.S. diplomatic cable obtained by WikiLeaks and published by the Guardian newspaper in Britain.

UN committee denounces Myanmar human rights recordupdated: Fri Nov 19 2010 03:22:00

A key United Nations committee on Thursday condemned Myanmar's human rights record while the secretary-general of the world body stressed the need for democratic reform.

Do China and India hold key to Myanmar reform?updated: Wed Nov 17 2010 07:46:00

Freed activist Aung San Suu Kyi has made a passionate plea for dialogue and reconciliation to build democracy and improve human rights in Myanmar, calling for her country to back her as she cannot "do it alone."

2008: Aung San Suu Kyi sentencedupdated: Wed Nov 17 2010 07:46:00

In 2008, Myanmar's junta sentenced Nobel laureate and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi to 18 months house arrest.

Images Myanmar does not want you to seeupdated: Sun Nov 14 2010 08:31:00

State media in Myanmar declaries elections "free and fair," but a reporter on the ground found this may not be the case.

Thousands flee Myanmar into Thailandupdated: Sun Nov 14 2010 08:31:00

About 10,000 people have fled from Myanmar into Thailand to escape fighting between Myanmar government forces and a splinter group of rebels of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army, military and border officials told CNN on Monday.

Suu Kyi's house arrest winds down but release is uncertainupdated: Sun Nov 14 2010 08:30:00

Speculation abounds as Saturday nears -- the day when Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi's house arrest is to end in Myanmar.

U.N. chief calls for Suu Kyi releaseupdated: Sun Nov 14 2010 08:30:00

CNN's Anna Coren talks with U.N. Secy.-Gen. Ban Ki-moon about human rights around the globe, starting with Myanmar.

Leaks precede election results in Myanmarupdated: Tue Nov 09 2010 22:18:00

Word started leaking out Tuesday about the results of Myanmar's controversial weekend elections, though the country's military regime had yet to announce any numbers.

Inside Myanmar's electionsupdated: Mon Nov 08 2010 09:04:00

CNN speaks with a journalist in Myanmar about the voting taking place in the country's first elections in 20 years.

Cyclone exposed secrets but junta keeps powerupdated: Mon Nov 08 2010 08:59:00

The people of Myanmar are battered by nature and weighed down by dictatorship, but they are also resilient, hard-working, good-natured and filled with human kindness.

Myanmar election protests in Bangkokupdated: Mon Nov 08 2010 03:24:00

Demonstrators in Bangkok are protesting the upcoming elections in Myanmar. CNNI's Dan Rivers reports.

Voting in Myanmar a 'sham'?updated: Fri Nov 05 2010 15:35:00

Myanmar prepares to vote for the first time in twenty years, but as Dan Rivers reports, many see it as a sham.

Myanmar heads toward controversial electionsupdated: Fri Nov 05 2010 15:26:00

Myanmar on Sunday will hold the country's first elections in two decades, elections that critics say are aimed at creating a facade of democracy.

China's chess match with Myanmarupdated: Fri Nov 05 2010 12:32:00

China prides itself on its loyalty to lao pengyou (old friends) -- even to those that some Western countries consider "rogue states."

Malaysia's prime minister on Myanmarupdated: Thu Nov 04 2010 09:54:00

Malaysian Prime Minster Najib Razak on the upcoming elections in Myanmar and hopes for democracy.

Myanmar blocks international monitors for electionsupdated: Mon Oct 18 2010 05:53:00

Myanmar will not allow international monitors to oversee its elections next month.

Suu Kyi: I won't vote in coming Myanmar electionupdated: Thu Oct 14 2010 02:42:00

Democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi has rejected voting in Myanmar's coming election, the country's first in two decades, her lawyer said.

A look into Myanmarupdated: Thu Oct 14 2010 02:42:00

With a new election announced in Myanmar, CNN's Dan Rivers goes to the country and gets a look.

Lawyers skeptical about Myanmar releasing Suu Kyiupdated: Fri Oct 01 2010 02:29:00

Myanmar's military junta says it will release Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in November, but her lawyers are skeptical.

U.N. chief to Myanmar: Free political prisonersupdated: Thu Sep 30 2010 21:52:00

Myanmar needs to show the world its November 7 elections are credible by releasing Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners, said U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Myanmar's military leader on visit to Chinaupdated: Wed Sep 08 2010 04:03:00

The head of Myanmar's military is on a top-level visit to China. CNN's John Vause reports.

What does Myanmar's Than Shwe want from Beijing?updated: Wed Sep 08 2010 04:03:00

When a military dictator comes calling, Beijing doesn't like to give too many details away.

U.N. calls for fair vote as Myanmar announces election dateupdated: Fri Aug 13 2010 16:27:00

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for a "free and fair" vote in Myanmar as the country's state media announced a date for the first election in 20 years.

Myanmar junta sets election date of November 7updated: Fri Aug 13 2010 07:34:00

Myanmar will hold general elections on November 7, Myanmar National Radio announced Friday, in the military junta-led nation's first vote since 1990.

Timeline: Key events in recent Myanmar historyupdated: Fri Aug 13 2010 05:02:00

March 1962: Then-Burma comes under military rule by Ne Win after a bloodless coup.

India welcomes Myanmar military leaderupdated: Sun Jul 25 2010 05:44:00

Indian officials welcomed the top leader of Myanmar's military junta Sunday in a visit aimed at strengthening diplomatic and economic ties between the neighboring countries.

United States concerned about Myanmar-North Korea military tiesupdated: Fri Jul 23 2010 12:40:00

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressed U.S. concerns about Myanmar's reported military ties to North Korea and its potential impact on the region during a visit to Vietnam Thursday.

Suu Kyi's former assistant released from prison in Myanmarupdated: Fri Jul 16 2010 02:01:00

A former aide to detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been released from a prison in northern Myanmar after spending more than 20 years behind bars, officials said Friday.

Key U.S. senator postpones trip to Myanmarupdated: Thu Jun 03 2010 10:53:00

A key member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee announced Thursday that he has postponed an upcoming trip to Myanmar out of concern that Myanmar's government is working with North Korea on the development of a nuclear program.

Myanmar military leaders resign to take part in electionsupdated: Thu Apr 29 2010 09:05:00

Myanmar's Prime Minister Thein Sein and several other ministers resigned from their military posts Monday so they can take part in the country's upcoming elections.

Democracy advocate's party to skip Myanmar electionsupdated: Mon Mar 29 2010 23:29:00

The political party of democracy advocate Aung San Suu Kyi has decided not to participate in elections this year in Myanmar, which is formerly known as Burma.

Myanmar's ruler warns against external interferenceupdated: Sat Mar 27 2010 07:51:00

Myanmar's junta chief spoke Saturday of pending political and economic change even as an ostentatious parade served as a reminder of the isolated nation's military might.

U.N. critical of Myanmar election processupdated: Thu Mar 25 2010 22:46:00

Key U.N. member countries are not pleased with Myanmar despite the Asian nation's plan to hold its first general elections in 20 years.

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