Myanmar leader holds milestone first press briefing

NAYPYITAW, Myanmar (AP) - Myanmar's reformist president held his first press conference for local media in a national milestone after years of secrecy and censorship by the former military regime.

Mr Thein Sein did not break any stunning news when he answered about 30 questions from local press and foreign correspondents on subjects ranging from fighting with ethnic rebels in the north to amending the country's military-fashioned constitution.

His mere appearance, however, told the story about his country's turn from secrecy and paranoia to relative openness. Sunday's news conference in the capital, Naypyitaw, ran 20 minutes past its scheduled two-hour length.

The 67-year-old ex-general, who had been prime minister under the ruling junta, looked tense as he started answering questions but soon relaxed enough to reveal a little-known sense of humour.