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M. Continuo

Britain would "respond in kind" to Myanmar democracy - Cameron


    (Reuters) - Prime Minister David Cameron indicated on Thursday he is likely to push for sanctions against Myanmar to be eased quickly after a he makes a landmark visit to the long-isolated state this week.

    Cameron's visit is scheduled for Friday and it will be the first by a major Western leader in 50 years.

    It comes amid increasing calls for the easing of sanctions against Myanmar, also known as Burma, as the country long-dominated by the military enacts democratic reforms.

    "If Burma moves towards democracy then we should respond in kind, and we should not be slow in doing that. But first I want to and see for myself how things are going," Cameron told the BBC when asked about the sanctions.

    Myanmar has been the target of Western sanctions for years due to human rights abuses by the military rulers, who came to power in a 1962 coup.

    The generals ceded power a year ago to a quasi-civilian government following a November 2010 election marred by opposition complaints of rigging and won by a party set up by the military.

    Big business and foreign countries are jostling for commercial opportunities and influence in resource-rich Myanmar, and a formal decision on whether to ease European trade bans is expected on April 23.

    (Reporting by Mohammed Abbas; Editing by Robert Birsel)