Suu Kyi promotes peace efforts in visit to Myanmar heartland

Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi told villagers at the heart of the country on Monday that talks with ethnic rebels must be a priority, after putting peace negotiations ahead of economic reforms in her first months in power. Suu Kyi inherited the long-running ethnic conflicts when she came to power last year amid a transition from decades of military rule that wrecked rural economies. Suu Kyi has come under criticism for putting the complicated talks with myriad armed groups, expected to last years and unlikely to bring tangible results soon, over the economy which has suffered from a drop in foreign investment. She has hosted two rounds of talks with rebel leaders in the capital Naypyitaw, but significant progress has been elusive.Govt rejects Rohingya abusesMyanmar on Sunday rejected allegations of crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing during a crackdown against Rohingya Muslims last year. A UN report in February said security forces instigated a campaign that “very likely” amounted to crimes against humanity and possibly ethnic cleansing. This led to the establishment of a UN probe which is being blocked by Myanmar. The country’s own 13-member investigation team, led by former head of military intelligence and now Vice President, Myint Swe, has been dismissed by human rights monitors as lacking independence to produce a credible report. Speaking to reporters gathered in Yangon to conclude its 8-month-long probe, Myint Swe said the UN report exaggerated the claims and created misunderstanding for the international community.