Burma to release all political prisoners 'by the end of the year'

"In moving towards a new and long lasting partnership we will able to build on
a very deep partnerships that bound us together," he said. "Even during the
colonial era and despite the evils of colonialism, many close friendships
were formed in that period."

The Burmese president also promised a "zero tolerance" attitude to acts of
violence, which have escalated as the government has embarked on its
transition towards democracy in the past two years. Hundreds of members of
the country's Muslim minority have been killed in clashes with the Buddhist
majority, which claims the Muslims are interlopers from neighbouring India.

Thein Sein, who said Burma was at a "pivotal movement", warned: "We cannot let
ethnic or religious differences become an excuse to revert to
authoritarianism."

He said the country faced difficult times as it tried to accommodate the
demands of its different ethnic groups, with which the goverment has waged
up to a dozen separatist wars over the years.

"Difficult talks will follow and hard compromises, but it must be part of a
more inclusive national identity, including Buddhists and Muslims," he said.
"We are a multi-cultural, multi-faith nation."

He said that in coming weeks, the final measures would be put in place for a
nationwide ceasefire, under which "the guns will go silent over Myanmar [the
name given to Burma by its military rulers] for the very first time in 60
years".

He added: "We are moving from a period of authoritarianism to democracy but
this is no easy thing.

"We see elsewhere the difficultes of change and where the habits of democracy
are not engrained, there is a risk of violence and anarchy. Democracy cannot
be just about elections and basic freedoms."

Other priorities, he said, were fighting corruption, lifting millions out of
poverty, and improving basic health care and education for Burmese children,
whose prospects currently lagged behind others in Asia's fast-growing
economies.

Most international sanctions against Burma have been relaxed since the
programme of reform began, although critics fear some of the measures may be
just for show.

Outside Chatham House, a small group of Burmese activists staged a
demonstration, accusing the government of continuing to wage war against
ethnic groups.

Hkun Nawng, 30, said: "Thein Sein is not an honest man and he is just here to
sell his genocidal democracy. Even if he has been praised as a reformer by
Britain and the international community, what he is doing on the ground is
killing people, especially in Kachin state."

http://www.information.myanmaronlinecentre.com/burma-to-release-all-political-prisoners-by-the-end-of-the-year/