UN notes Myanmar's transfer to civilian government

Mar 30, 2011, 19:38 GMT

New York - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday urged the new civilian government in Myanmar to take a 'genuine move away' from the military junta that had ruled the country for five decades.

Myanmar's new President Thein Sein, a former army general, was sworn in Wednesday in Naypyitaw, the country's capital since 2005. He replaces Senior General Than Shwe, the junta chief since 1992, as head of state.

In his inaugural speech, Thein Sein called for the international community to 'immediately stop bullying Myanmar, drop sanctions and to work together with the government.'

'The Myanmar authorities now have an opportunity and, indeed, an obligation to their people, to demonstrate that this change is one of substance and that it is the start of a genuine move away from almost 50 years of direct military rule,' Ban said in a statement.

'The secretary general believes that the authorities must engage in an inclusive dialogue with all relevant parties on broad reforms necessary for the development of a credible system of government that can effectively address the political and socio-economic challenges facing Myanmar.'

Ban said longstanding aspirations of the Myanmar people include national reconciliation, democratization and respect for human rights, which he said remain 'essential to laying the foundations for durable peace and development in the country.'

He said the UN will continue to work with all parties to help Myanmar build a stable and fully democratic future state.

The UN and international community have had difficult ties with the former military junta. Some Western countries imposed economic sanctions in response to Myanmar's crackdown on pro-democracy movements and human rights advocates. The junta had kept opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest for over 10 years and set her free last year after the presidential elections.

Read more about Myanmar Politics

Read more about UN