Myanmar leader gives first New Year address

Myanmar President Thein Sein on Tuesday called for “mutual trust” between the ruling regime and the people in his first New Year address since taking power and ushering in sweeping reforms.

He pledged a new drive to communicate more directly with the nation in a radio speech he said aimed to “bridge the gap” between the authorities and the public.

“The most important ingredient for the success of Myanmar’s democratic transition is the mutual trust between the government and the people,” he said.

Thein Sein, who took the helm of a quasi-civilian regime last year, said the world had been “amazed” by the nation’s progress last year in the former junta-ruled country.

Western sanctions against the former pariah state began to be dismantled this year in response to reforms, including the release of hundreds of political prisoners and the election of democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi to parliament.

But the former general warned that the swift pace of change should not encourage unrealistic expectations from a public eager for further opening up after decades of military rule.