12°c Overcast
17°c Cloudy with showers
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Canada to open Myanmar embassy
OTTAWA -- Canada will open an embassy in Myanmar in recognition of the country's moves to improve human rights and democracy.
The move follows the Conservative government's loosening of most of its sanctions against Myanmar earlier this year.
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said Friday he hopes opening an embassy in Myanmar, once known as Burma, will encourage progress.
"Although the Burmese government has taken positive steps to improve human rights and democracy over the past year, we continue to urge more progress on reforms. Canada stands ready to assist in any capacity to build on the democratic fundamentals, and the freedoms and rights of their people."
Earlier this year Baird visited Myanmar to confer honorary Canadian citizenship on former political prisoner Aung Sang Suu Kyi, who won a parliamentary seat in historic elections.
As if to underscore the challenges still facing Myanmar, the foreign affairs minister's announcement fell on the same day the United Nations said authorities in the country detained 10 UN staff and foreign aid workers.
"There's been an incredible amount of reform in the country over the past 18 months,"Baird said. "We're impressed by that reform.
"Obviously, although they've taken some very positive steps, there's still more progress required."
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was in Cambodia Friday to meet Myanmar President Thein Sein ahead of a gathering of American business leaders.
The U.S. gave American companies permission this week to invest in resource-rich Myanmar. But Clinton made it clear they intend to continue pushing the country to improve its human rights record.
-- The Canadian Press, with files from AP
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 14, 2012 A21
More Canada
- Back to Top
- Return to Canada
More Canada
(1 of 10 articles for today)
Zombie camp offers survival training
1:00 AM 0ZOMBIES will be stumbling around a Saskatchewan lake this weekend, but not to worry.
The world is not ending, but people ...
Poll
Most Popular Canada
- Crack-cocaine video allegations 'ridiculous,' Toronto Mayor Rob Ford says
- Quake near Ottawa rattles residents across wide swath of Ontario, Quebec
- Sen. Pamela Wallin, target of expense audit, latest to leave Conservative caucus
- Senate committee to take sober second look at Duffy's expense reports
- Rob Ford, Canada's Marion Barry? Crack story getting American attention
- Calgary man charged with murder of woman and her five-year-old son
- Mike Duffy, the ultimate Ottawa insider, suddenly finds himself on the outside
- Tirades won't stop global warming: Harper
- Duffy quits Conservative caucus over expenses as colleagues began turning on him
- Mounties say crooks passing fake polymer bank notes in British Columbia
- First-degree murder charge to be laid in test drive death; remains badly burned
- Arrest made in case of Hamilton, Ont., man missing after pickup truck test drive
- Crack-cocaine video allegations 'ridiculous,' Toronto Mayor Rob Ford says
- Duffy bailout by Harper's chief of staff prompts allegations of coverup by PMO
- Duffy quits Conservative caucus over expenses as colleagues began turning on him
- Liberals blaze to stunning B.C. victory, but Clark loses own seat
- Leaving Saskatoon: police mourn homeless drunk they considered a friend
- Quake near Ottawa rattles residents across wide swath of Ontario, Quebec
- Conservative senator Duffy claimed expenses while campaigning in 2011 election
- Duffy's public salary, benefits don't paint picture of man down on his luck
- First-degree murder charge to be laid in test drive death; remains badly burned
- Multiple fatalities after serious crash near U.S. border
- Canadian tourist dies after falling from hotel in Mexican resort
- Engineer charged in mall collapse
- Arrest made in case of Hamilton, Ont., man missing after pickup truck test drive
- Leaving Saskatoon: police mourn homeless drunk they considered a friend
- Crack-cocaine video allegations 'ridiculous,' Toronto Mayor Rob Ford says
- Man with no arms plans to fight seatbelt ticket, wants apology from police
- Suspects arrested in Via train terror plot linked to al-Qaida in Iran: RCMP
- Duffy bailout by Harper's chief of staff prompts allegations of coverup by PMO
- Quake near Ottawa rattles residents across wide swath of Ontario, Quebec
- Secret CSIS source, allied intelligence cited in high-profile terror case
- The Gretzky of Gretzky collectors
- Grade 5 kids urge Harper to drop mean attack ads against Justin Trudeau
- Promising new way of fighting cancer
- Mounties say crooks passing fake polymer bank notes in British Columbia
- Crack-cocaine video allegations 'ridiculous,' Toronto Mayor Rob Ford says
- Hadfield home, but he can't even drive his car
- Sen. Pamela Wallin, target of expense audit, latest to leave Conservative caucus
- U.S. bill would give Canadian snowbirds more time to spend in the sun
- Duffy bailout by Harper's chief of staff prompts allegations of coverup by PMO
- Want to bring parent over? You better have a decent job
- First-degree murder charge to be laid in test drive death; remains badly burned
- Search on for living creatures far beneath Canadian Shield
- Quake near Ottawa rattles residents across wide swath of Ontario, Quebec
- Leaving Saskatoon: police mourn homeless drunk they considered a friend
- Effort afoot in court to sue Canadians for illegal downloads
- 'Not looking for blame,' grieving father says of fatal rugby tackle
- Federal Court to test expedited hearings for some visa-rejection reviews
- U.S. bill would give Canadian snowbirds more time to spend in the sun
- Foul fascination: Edmonton plant beautiful, but stinks like diapers, dead animals
- 'Revenge of the redheads': Ginger-haired Montrealers gather in celebration
- Man with no arms plans to fight seatbelt ticket, wants apology from police
- Suspects arrested in Via train terror plot linked to al-Qaida in Iran: RCMP
- Leaving Saskatoon: police mourn homeless drunk they considered a friend
- Commanding officer of Canadian Forces base in Alberta charged with sex assault
- Duffy bailout by Harper's chief of staff prompts allegations of coverup by PMO
- An in-depth look at not criminally responsible through the eyes of a patient
- Engineer charged in mall collapse
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.