Burma: Australia urged to push Rangoon on democracy

Radio Australia reports the peak political body for Burmese ethnic groups is calling on Australia to spearhead the creation of an international body tasked with pressuring Burma towards democracy.

The Ethnic Nationalities Council represents seven ethnic states in Burma, which comprise about 40 percent of the population.

The Council's vice chair, Dr Lian Sakhong, is in Canberra for talks with senior officials from Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Immigration.

Speaking to Radio Australia's Connect Asia program, he said the Council hopes to gain significant support from the Australian government at a time of considerable difficulty in Burma.

Published by Mike Hitchen, Mike Hitchen Consulting
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