Bush names special aide for Myanmar

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081110/pl_afp/usmyanmardiplomacygreen_081110221733

Mon Nov 10, 5:17 pm ET
Featured Topics: Barack Obama Presidential Transition AFP/File – US President George W. Bush has decided to nominate a former top adviser on Asian affairs, Michael Green, … WASHINGTON (AFP) – US President George W. Bush has decided to nominate a former top adviser on Asian affairs, Michael Green, to be his special envoy and policy chief for Myanmar, the White House announced Monday.

If confirmed by the US Senate, Green "will serve as our main interlocutor with other countries and organizations as we attempt to help the Burmese people," said US National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe.

Green, who has served as senior director for Asian Affairs on Bush's national security council, is currently an associate professor at Georgetown University and holds the Japan chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank in Washington.

The post was created by the US Congress with an eye on increasing pressure on the military junta that rules Myanmar. Washington does not recognize the country's name change.

The legislation said the special representative will work with democracy advocates in Myanmar, non-governmental organizations there and in neighboring countries with an eye on bringing democratic rule to the country.

The representative is also meant to consult with the governments of China, India, Thailand and Japan, Myanmar's ASEAN partners, and the European Union to coordinate international strategy towards the country.