Obama names special envoy on Myanmar

US: President Barack Obama Thursday nominated Defence Official Derek Mitchell as his special representative on Myanmar to shape US policy towards the country after its criticized political transition.

Mitchell, a veteran Asia hand, will assume responsibility for the US approach to a nation with which Washington has a tense relationship due to the government’s suppression of Aung San Suu Kyi’s democracy movement. Obama officially announced the move in a White House statement.

Mitchell’s appointment will need to be confirmed by the Senate, in a hearing likely to give voice to Myanmar’s fierce opponents on Capitol Hill.

After Obama took office in January 2009, his administration concluded that Western efforts to isolate the military-led nation had been ineffective and initiated a dialogue with the junta.

AFP