Narinjara news

JAPAN URGED TO AID MYANMAR DEVELOPMENT

Kuala Lumpur;  jan 10; UN envoy Razali Ismali is expected to urge Japan to play a larger role in developing Myanmar s  education, health and energy sector, a
Malaysian official said Thursday, reports AFP.
"Razali will seek Japan's participation to develop critical areas like healthcare,   education and energy ,"  the official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
 Razali is expected to brief  Japanese  Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi who arrives  later in the day on situation in Myanmar.
   Razali will try to impress Koizumi to give more aid to Myanmar,"
 The official said Japan in the past had provided assistance for the construction of a hydro-electric dam in Myanmar,
  The official said Japan was supportive of ASEAN's  constructive engagement policy, adding that Kozumi would be seeking first hand information on Razali on going national reconciliation efforts in Myanmar.
   Razali would brief Kozumi and voice his confidence that Myanmar was heading towards democracy but "it needs time and at the same time other nations must address its (Myanmar's) economic concerns.
Malaysia, a close ally of Myanmar within the 10-nation association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) had in past pressed for a two-pronged approach --- diplomatic and economic reconstruction to bring Myanmar into the international  arena.
Last month, Razali, who was on his sixth visit to the military-ruled state, spent an unprecedented two=and-a-half hours at opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) leader Aung San Suu Kyi's lakeside compound.#

SOURCE; TODAY INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER FROM BANGLADESH