London warming to reformed Myanmar

LONDON, Jan. 9 (UPI) -- The British government is ready to start a new era of friendship with Myanmar if political reforms in the country continue, the British foreign secretary said.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague chose Myanmar for his first overseas visit for the new year. His visit marks the first for a sitting British foreign minister in more than 50 years.

He noted in a statement that the British government was one of the largest donors of aid to Myanmar. During his visit, he said, he continued that effort by pledging more aid in the form of microloans to some 55,000 people.

Myanmar in 2010 had its first general elections in nearly 20 years and released opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from a lengthy house arrest. She told the BBC last week that she felt the country would have complete democratic elections in her lifetime.

"If real and lasting reform continues, we are ready to offer a new relationship based on friendship and prosperity," said Hague.

He cautioned, however, that there are "very serious concerns" about the human rights situation in Myanmar, where hundreds of people remain behind bars as political prisoners.

Suu Kyi last year said she would return to political activity nearly a year after she was freed from prison. Her National League for Democracy won elections in the 1990s but ruling military authorities never recognized the results.