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The Prime Minister has met Burma's famed opposition leader, Aung
San Suu Kyi, overnight and also held a meeting with President Thein
Sein.
New Zealand is giving a $7 million aid donation to the Burmese
Government.
Key arrived in the sprawling capital of Naypyidaw, built for
about 20 million people most of whom have not shown up to live
there. So there are 20-lane highways in the city with very few cars
on them.
But there is one very important person there, Suu Kyi, who
expressed appreciation for New Zealand's support for Burma's
democracy movement.
"We've always appreciated what you have done for our movement
and also for the hospitality that you have given to our refugees,"
Suu Kyi said.
"Although there are not that many in New Zealand, the Burmese
refugees there are very vigorous and very active, which of course
shows that New Zealand promotes all kinds of opinions and are not
afraid of people moving in line with their conscience."
Key has also met with President Thein Sein, a former general in
the military junta who the Prime Minister considers a moderate in
favour of further moves towards democracy.
Asked if he questioned when the military might take less of a
role in Burma's Government, Key said: "We didn't directly, but I
understand from the things that I've heard that that is part of the
programme that they're working through."
New Zealand's parting gift to Burma will be a $7 million aid
donation, $6 million of which will be spent on trying to upgrade
dairy farming systems in Burma.
The other $1 million will be used to try to help stop an ethnic
dispute between the majority Buddhists and the minority Muslims in
a province near the border with Bangladesh.
What do you think of John Key's Burma visit? Have your
say on Facebook below.
Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2012/11/23/key-meets-burmas-opposition-leader-president/
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