ANN ARBOR—A senior U.S. senator and France’s foreign minister are visiting Myanmar as Washington moves toward restoring full diplomatic ties after scores of high-profile political prisoners are freed in the Southeast Asian nation.

The following University of Michigan experts are available to discuss the recent developments:

Allen Hicken, director of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies, can discuss the politics of the region. Hicken, an associate professor of political science, studies political institutions and political economy in developing countries. His primary focus has been on political parties and party systems in developing democracies and their role in policy making. He can be reached at (+1) 734-615-9105 or [email protected]. More about Hicken: http://www.ii.umich.edu/cseas/aboutus/people/ci.hickenallen_ci.detail

Linda Y.C. Lim, professor of strategy at the Ross School of Business, can discuss Myanmar’s economic challenges. Her research focuses on the political economy of multinational and local business in Southeast Asia, including the changing international trade and investment environment and the influence of domestic politics, economic policy and culture on business structure, strategy and operations. She can be reached at (+1) 734-763-0290 or [email protected]. More about Lim: http://www.bus.umich.edu/FacultyBios/FacultyBio.asp?id=000119685

John Ciorciari, assistant professor of public policy at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, can discuss foreign policy strategies and human rights. His current research projects focus primarily on the Asia-Pacific region and examine foreign policy strategies, human rights and the reform of international economic institutions. He can be reached at (+1) 734- 615-6947 or [email protected]. More about Ciorciari: http://fordschool.umich.edu/faculty/John_Ciorciari

BROADCASTERS: Feel free to use portions of the lecture and question-and-answer session when Aung San Suu Kyi was awarded the Wallenberg Medal on Oct. 25 at the University of Michigan: http://ummedia10.rs.itd.umich.edu/flash/rgs/wallenberg.html.