A second Burmese diplomat defects

[alp227]

Source: The Washington Post

A Burmese diplomat has requested asylum in the United States, apparently in response to a crackdown by his government after the defection of a more senior diplomat earlier this month.

Soe Aung, the fourth-ranking official in the Burmese Embassy in Washington, wrote to the State Department on Wednesday requesting asylum, according to the pro-democracy group U.S. Campaign for Burma. Soe Aung confirmed his defection in a brief interview with the Burmese Service of the Voice of America.

The embassy’s second-ranking official, Kyaw Win, said his own defection July 4 prompted authorities in Burma, also known as Myanmar, to recall Soe Aung and other diplomats for questioning.

Soe Aung was ordered to report with his family to the embassy Wednesday afternoon to be escorted home by a former military official, according to Campaign for Burma Executive Director Aung Din, who has been in touch with Soe Aung and his supporters. Soe Aung could not be reached Wednesday.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/national-security/a-second-burmese-diplomat-defects/2011/07/13/gIQA7ggDDI_story.html

[rpannier]

1. Prudent decision

I wouldn't gave taken that chance either
Many people are known to fall down 12 flights of stairs in a basement.