United States and Cambodia developing a deeper relationship
U.S. President Barack Obama has voiced concerns about Cambodia’s human rights record in what U.S. officials describe as a “tense” meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. More…
“So today, I have come to keep my promise and extend the hand of friendship”-Obama
YANGON, Myanmar — President Obama journeyed to this storied tropical outpost of pagodas and jungles on Monday to “extend the hand of friendship” as a land long tormented by repression and poverty begins to throw off military rule and emerge from decades of isolation. More…
Investors to pay a U.S. $5 per hectare tax beginning six years into their leases
Cambodia said Friday it will impose a new tax on investors who receive land from the government for agriculture development as a U.N. expert warned about the lack of transparency in allocation of land concessions that could hinder the country’s growth. More…
Aung San Suu Kyi stood before selected military representatives at Lower House of Parliament in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, on May 2.
When Myanmar’s leaders began launching economic and political overhauls last year, skeptical investors and activists weren’t counting on big changes. Now, policy makers in Washington and the Myanmar capital of Naypyitaw are facing the opposite problem: Everyone seems to be expecting too much.
Frustrations are rising on all sides as Myanmar’s leaders struggle to push through some key changes, and Washington, after promising earlier in the year to suspend sanctions, takes its time doing so. More…
Resposted from the AP
WASHINGTON (AP) — The rare Washington consensus behind the Obama administration’s policy toward Myanmar is showing signs of cracks as U.S. businesses grow impatient to invest there and human rights groups push back.
The U.S. is rolling back its long diplomatic isolation of the military-dominated nation, also known as Burma, and is looking to ease economic sanctions following democratic reforms there. It’s trying to open up commercial opportunities for U.S. companies in one of Asia’s last untapped markets without losing the high ground on human rights that has driven the U.S. agenda for the past two decades. More…
KBZ bank ATM in Yangon, Myanmar
The election success of Burma’s opposition has led to the easing of some sanctions imposed by the United States and pressure from neighboring countries to drop them entirely. Although there is a surge in interest in Burma’s economy from foreign investors, analysts warn there remain major economic and political challenges.
This week, the United States dropped travel bans against some senior Burmese officials and eased restrictions on some U.S. investment and financial services. More…
Raul and Fidel Castro
Under Raúl Castro, Cuba has begun the journey towards capitalism. But it will take a decade and a big political battle to complete, writes Michael Reid
WHEN ON JULY 31st 2006 Cuban state television broadcast a terse statement from Fidel Castro to say that he had to undergo emergency surgery and was temporarily handing over to his brother, Raúl (pictured with Fidel, left), it felt like the end of an era. The man who had dominated every aspect of life on the island for almost half a century seemed to be on his way out. In the event Fidel survived, and nothing appeared to change. More…
Bagon, Myanmar
Scarcely a week goes by without a visit to Myanmar (Burma, as was) by western politicians and businessmen. Billionaire George Soros popped over at the start of the year. Microsoft founder Bill Gates is going over any week now.
Everyone talks of the importance of philanthropy. Myanmar’s new president Thein Sein refers to peace, stability and economic development. More…
Reposted from Eurasia Review Newsletter
By Medha Chaturvedi
After decades of isolation, Myanmar is again on the international radar. A series of high-level interactions with Western dignitaries including the US Secretary of State and the British Foreign Minister are indicative of this. While democracy in Myanmar is still in an embryonic stage, the international community seems to have opened its arms to the government of Myanmar. With the US indicating a withdrawal of economic sanctions against Myanmar in the near future, the biggest questions that come to mind are: Why now, and what next? More…
Network Myanmar
The debate on recent changes in Myanmar continues to excite unprecedented interest outside Myanmar, not least among the up to 4 million strong Burmese expatriate community. A process of reconciliation has taken root as thousands of Burmese living overseas debate their future. With strong official encouragement, many are paying visits back to their home country, some for the first time in twenty years. More…
