Myanmar approves appointment of US ambassador
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Yangon - Myanmar has approved the appointment of the first US ambassador to the former pariah state in 22 years, state media reported on Friday.
Derek Mitchell, 47, is an expert on Asian affairs, and has been US President Barack Obama's special representative and policy coordinator for Myanmar since 2011.
His appointment marks a significant upgrading of US-Myanmar diplomatic relations, which have been on the mend since US State Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton visited the country in late 2011.
Myanmar held its first general election in two decades on November 7, 2010, bringing to power a government led by the pro-military Union solidarity and Development Party.//DPA
