Top US Officials to Travel to Burma

Two top Obama administration officials are travelling to Burma next week, as a follow up to the visit of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to the country last month.

The US special representative for Burma, Derek Mitchell, will travel to Burma and Thailand from Jan. 9 to 13, while the State Department’s ambassador-at-large on combating human trafficking, Luis CdeBaca, will be in the country from Jan. 9 to 11, two official announcements said.

The State Department said Mitchell plans to meet with interlocutors in Naypyidaw and Rangoon to follow up on Clinton’s December visit.

“Ambassador Mitchell will also travel to Bagan to see microfinance programs and other development work in Burma’s dry zone,” the State Department said.

He also plans to travel to northern Thailand to meet with local officials and assistance groups working with refugees in the border region.

“Mitchell plans to visit Burma frequently to build on our principled engagement, including dialogue with the Burmese government and local stakeholders,” the State Department said.

According to another statement, Luis CdeBaca, is travelling to assess the human trafficking situation firsthand and to explore opportunities to strengthen the government’s anti-trafficking efforts.

While visiting the capital Naypyidaw, CdeBaca will join Mitchell in meetings with officials to discuss recent steps to address transnational sex trafficking and improve labor conditions for workers.

CdeBaca will then travel to Rangoon to meet with NGOs, international organizations, and the new Human Rights Commission.