* Barroso pledges EU aid
* Sectarian violence kills scores, displaces thousands
BRUSSELS, Nov 3 (Reuters) - European Commission President
Jose Manuel Barroso called on Saturday for an end to sectarian
killings in Myanmar, following talks with the president of the
nation which is emerging from decades of brutal military rule.
In western Myanmar, 89 people have been killed in clashes
between Buddhist Rakhines and Muslim Rohingyas, according to the
latest official toll covering the last 10 days of October. Many
thousands more have been displaced by the violence.
"We are deeply concerned by these events and by the
consequences for the reforms and democratisation of the country.
We hope that all religious leaders will call for restraint,"
Barroso said in a speech, a copy of which was released in
Brussels.
"The EU stands ready to mobilise 4 million euros ($5.14
million) for immediate humanitarian needs, provided access to
the affected areas is guaranteed," Barroso added.
He was speaking in Myanmar at a newly established peace
centre designed to aid dialogue between all parties in Myanmar's
peace process. During his visit to the country he also held
talks with President Thein Sein.
The European Union, winner of this year's Nobel Peace Prize,
has contributed 700,000 euros to starting up the peace centre,
to be followed by further funds.
In 2013, the bloc will contribute 30 million euros to
Myanmar's ethnic peace process, a Commission statement said.
After five decades of brutal junta rule, Myanmar has stunned
the world with rapid economic and democratic change, which has
led to an easing of sanctions imposed by the United States and
the European Union to encourage further reforms.
($1 = 0.7785 euros)
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