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Burmese President Accepts Credentials of Canadian Ambassador to Burma

OTTAWA ― Burmese president of recently refurbished, quasi-civilian government in Burma formally accepted the credentials of Canadian Ambassador, the mouthpiece newspaper the New Light of Myanmar reported on July 6, 2011.

“Mr Ron Hoffmann, the newly-accredited Ambassador of Canada to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar presented his credentials to U Thein Sein, President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, at President Office, here at 11 am today [July 5],” reported in the newspaper, along with a picture.

The Canadian Friends of Burma cautiously welcomes this acceptance, for a possible channel of conveying concerns over lack of progress in political and human rights situations in Burma. CFOB supports a multi-pronged approach to break political stalemate in Burma and understands a mixed reaction to this news among Burmese Diaspora community and Burma supporters across Canada.  

On April 19, 2011, Canadian Governor General David Johnston accepted the credentials of Burmese Ambassador Kyaw Tin.  “Canada is hopeful that the mutual accreditation of our Ambassadors will provide us with more opportunities to communicate our key interests and concerns,” David Johnston said in his speech during the presentation of credentials at Rideau Hall.

“Canada looks forward to engaging with you on important issues of human rights, democratic development, and the rule of law during your tenure as Ambassador. These issues are of fundamental importance to Canada, both at home and abroad,” he added at that time.

CFOB’s position on that development can be read at here

However, soon after his credentials were accepted, Burmese Ambassador Kyaw Tin is eager to launch an information war on Burma with the Canadian Friends of Burma.  He said to the Embassy Magazine, a Canadian foreign affairs weekly, that he would counter information presented by organization like Canadian Friends of Burma.

The Embassy’s article noted that “While most other diplomats consider trade or aid as their primary goals, the Burmese envoy’s prime consideration involves countering what he considers “misinformation about Myanmar,” … which he believes stems from a biased media, and the efforts of opposition groups such as the Canadian Friends of Burma (CFOB) who “report on only the bad things.”

Full article can be read at here