FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 1, 2013

Contact: 
Kathy Gest, 202-728-5535, [email protected]
Ben Chang, 202-638-0067, [email protected]

WASHINGTON, DC – Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, chairman of the National Democratic Institute (NDI), is visiting Burma May 31 to June 5.  In meetings with a wide range of government officials, political party leaders and civil society organizations she will discuss the changes underway as the country continues its political transition.

Secretary Albright said she will stress the importance of democracy and development hand in hand with the rule of law and the fundamental principles of tolerance, compromise and inclusiveness.

In a visit to Naypyidaw, the capital, she is scheduled to meet with senior government officials and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, chairman of the National League for Democracy. 
In Rangoon, she will meet with representatives of a wide range of ethnic and national political parties, civil society organizations with a focus on electoral and democratic reform, women’s organizations and religious leaders. She will also visit Shwedagon Pagoda.

NDI is working to support the country’s parliament and to strengthen the ability of civil society organizations to address electoral reform issues.

On Tuesday afternoon, June 4, Secretary Albright will deliver remarks at the University of Yangon.  She will focus on the road ahead for Burma and the lessons that can be drawn from the examples of other countries that have made transitions to democracy in recent years. 

This is Secretary Albright’s first visit to Burma since 1995, when she was the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.