As Reform Is Lauded in Rangoon, Conflict Continues in Kachin State

In June, an incident at a hydropower dam on the Dabein river, a Chinese-Burmese joint venture put an end to a 17-year ceasefire in Kachin state. Six months and tens of thousands of refugees later, the new Burmese government is making progress towards reform, but has left the Kachin behind.

During her visit to Burma earlier this month, Hillary Clinton said that the one-year civilian government had indeed made significant progress toward reform, under President Thein Sein; but that there is still great room for improvement.

Among the most pressing issues is the systematic militarization of western Burma, where the Burmese military has continued its campaign against ethnic groups in the border areas.

Full story: VOANews.com