United States to Reestablish Ties with Myanmar
Jan. 17, 2012
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton announced that the government of the United States has begun the process of establishing diplomatic relations with the government of Myanmar. The announcement was made just hours after Myanmar’s most prominent political dissidents were released from prison. Secretary Clinton noted that a U.S. ambassador would be named, but that the restoration of ties would be a lengthy process dependent on continuing reform.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton
The U.S. State Department recalled its ambassador from Myanmar in 1990, after the country’s military rulers ignored elections won by Aung San Suu Kyi‘s National League for Democracy. Aung San Suu Kyi is a human rights activist who won the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize for her nonviolent efforts to bring democracy to Myanmar.
Political activist Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar
Myanmar was taken over by the military in 1962 and was ruled by a brutal junta until 2011, when the army ceded power to a nominally civilian government. Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy recently re-registered as a political party. She announced plans to run for a seat in Myanmar’s parliament in forthcoming elections.
Additional World Book articles:
- Myanmar 1962 (Back in Time article)
- Myanmar 1990 (Back in Time article)
- Myanmar 1991 (Back in Time article)
- Myanmar 2010 (Back in Time article)
