US appoints special envoy to Myanmar
US President Barack Obama has appointed Derek Mitchell as a special envoy to Burma.
Currently at the Department of Defense, Mitchell is said by Washington media to be due to reinvigorate US policy on Burma's military-backed government.
He is expected to be the country's main interlocutor with Burma's rulers.
Earlier this week, the European Union relaxed some sanctions against members of Burma's government, signalling a more flexible approach by the West.
Mitchell has held several posts in the defence and state departments and at think tanks pertaining to South East Asia.
If the appointment is confirmed by the Senate, his formal title will be Special Representative and Policy Coordinator for Burma, with the rank of Ambassador, Department of State.
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