Myanmar to consider rights for Rohingya minority

AP /  November 16, 2012
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YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Myanmar’s president has pledged to consider new rights for the stateless Rohingya minority ahead of a landmark visit by President Barack Obama, but stopped short of a full commitment that citizenship will be granted to them.

President Thein Sein made the conciliatory remarks in a letter to the United Nations on Friday. He made no promises, but the letter marked an overture to the international community and Obama, who arrives Monday.

In the letter, he says his government is prepared to consider contentious issues including citizenship, work permits and freedom of movement for the Rohingya.

Almost 200 people have died since June in fighting between the Buddhist Rakhine and Muslim Rohingya communities. More than 100,000 have been displaced.

Washington has urged Myanmar to take urgent action to end the strife.end of story marker

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