U.S. Welcomes Myanmar Election, Watching Military to Honor Results

Myanmar
Supporters of Supporters of Myanmar's pro-democracy figurehead Aung San Suu Kyi gather outside National League for Democracy headquarters (NLD) in Yangon, Myanmar, November 9, 2015. Reuters

The United States on Monday welcomed Myanmar's election as a victory for the Burmese people but said it would watch for the democratic process to move forward before making any adjustments to U.S. sanctions.

Supporters of Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi were confident on Monday her party had won a landslide victory in the country's first free general election in 25 years, with the biggest question whether the margin was enough to claim the presidency.

The U.S. State Department's top Asia diplomat cautioned against declaring a landslide when so few votes had been counted from Sunday's poll, but said preliminary indications were that the elections went "quite smoothly."

Daniel Russel, the U.S. assistant secretary of state for East Asia, added that after 50 years of military dictatorship, "this was a hell of a step forward for the democratic process in Burma."

However, he added: "Now comes the hard part."

Russel told reporters that for the United States and the international community to provide the kind of support Myanmar needed, the transition from the current government to the future administration "is going to have to be credible."

He said the senior leadership of the military in Myanmar, which is also known as Burma, had reaffirmed this week their commitment to abide by the results of the election.

"The United States, and I believe other members of the international community, have every intention of holding them to that," he said.

"Our expectation is that the military and the political leaders of Burma are going to have to listen."

Russel said it was too early to make pronouncements on the overall conduct of Sunday's voting and it was premature to say whether the election could lead to a lifting of remaining U.S. sanctions.

This would depend more than just on how the election day was conducted, he said.

"The next steps in terms of government formation, in terms of reconciliation, similarly, are going to have to move Burma in the right direction," he said.

"The further the process of reform moves, the more credible and respectable the political process is, the greater the support and the lower the hurdles for the U.S. government, and I suspect other governments, to actively support a new Burmese government, including through adjustments to our policies."

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.