True democracy in Burma/Myanmar?
- By Richard Branson -
- Jul 16, 2012
I may be naïve but what is going on in Burma/Myanmar excites me and should, I believe, be welcomed by the international community.
The world knows that Aung San Suu Kyi, the wonderful former honorary Elder, was released from house arrest and allowed to run for Parliament. But what is less well known is that the President of Burma/Myanmar - appointed by the military - seems to be rapidly moving the country towards a true democracy.
Therefore Mr Thein Sein should be given the benefit of the doubt by the international community. All sanctions should be lifted to help him on his drive to reduce poverty levels. Should our trust in him be mistaken, sanctions can always be re-imposed.
Burma/Myanmar has the chance to be the best example of a military country that returned itself to a true democracy. It's worth reading an excellent interview with President Thein Sein in the Financial Times for more on this issue.
By Richard Branson. Founder of Virgin Group
