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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 elections, a spokesman for the US embassy in Rangoon has said. 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. 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. 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.
An AFP news report, citing an unnamed Burma official, said that representatives from the UN have also been invited.
''It will be like a joint team with Asean, the EU, the US and the UN," the Burmese official told AFP.
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 election is seen as credible. 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. "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.