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Burma invites US and EU observers to April election | Burma invites US and EU observers to April election |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Burma is inviting the United States and the European Union to send observers for its April by-elections, a spokesman for the US embassy in Rangoon has said. | |
The move follows an earlier invitation to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) on Tuesday. | The move follows an earlier invitation to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) on Tuesday. |
It is the first time that foreign poll monitors are being allowed in Burma. | It is the first time that foreign poll monitors are being allowed in Burma. |
Asean said that it had been asked to send a total of 23 delegates, including two MPs from each member state and media representatives. | |
The US embassy spokesman confirmed that the invitation had been received in Washington and said the EU had also been contacted. | The US embassy spokesman confirmed that the invitation had been received in Washington and said the EU had also been contacted. |
He said they had no details as to how many observers were welcome to monitor the 1 April polls, which will see 48 parliamentary seats being contested. | |
Burma's government has yet to formally announce the invitations, said the Associated Press. | Burma's government has yet to formally announce the invitations, said the Associated Press. |
Analysts say it is a small but symbolic step as the military-backed civilian government introduces cautious reforms. | Analysts say it is a small but symbolic step as the military-backed civilian government introduces cautious reforms. |
Pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is standing for the first time since 1990, when Burma's military leaders refused to recognise her National League for Democracy (NLD) party's election victory. | Pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is standing for the first time since 1990, when Burma's military leaders refused to recognise her National League for Democracy (NLD) party's election victory. |
Correspondents say that the move by Burmese authorities is a bid to ensure the by-elections is seen as credible. | |
The US, EU and the UN have described the polls as "a key test" of the government's commitment to reforms. | The US, EU and the UN have described the polls as "a key test" of the government's commitment to reforms. |
It is not expected that the vote will change the balance of power in Burma, even though it is being seen as hugely symbolic. | It is not expected that the vote will change the balance of power in Burma, even though it is being seen as hugely symbolic. |
"This is encouraging to see that they have taken this step. Clearly we feel the elections are important for this country's reform process," US Rangoon embassy spokesman, Mike Quinlan, said. |