Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. VOA Exclusive: Interview with Myanmar President Thein Sein by VOA News In an exclusive interview with VOA's Burmese Service, Myanmar President Thein Sein called allegations that minority Muslim Rohingya are fleeing alleged torture in Rakhine state a media fabrication. "International concern on this issue [is overblown]," Thein Sein told VOA Burmese Service Chief Than Lwin Htun Thursday at the presidential residence in the capital, Naypyitaw. "It is just a media story that boat people are fleeing torture," he said. "Actually, there are more people willing to live here because here it is spacious, [with] many places to live in and work. Some people are writing negative things with malice. International organizations are also helping them well." On a recent visit to Myanmar, also known as Burma, U.S. President Barack Obama specifically mentioned the tensions and humanitarian situation in Rakhine state, where Rohingya face discrimination and violence at the hands of the majority Buddhists. Ethnic tensions with other minority groups are also problematical in Myanmar. Regarding the Myanmar army's shelling earlier this week of a minority Kachin military academy that killed more than 20 cadets, Thein Sein appeared to implicitly implicate the rebels. "Skirmishes are continuing to this day, but we have ordered our troops not to attack their camps," he said. "Still, everyone has the right to defend his life. So, other than [in cases of] self-defense, our troops will not attack." __________________________________________________________________ [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/voa-exclusive-interview-myanmar-presi dent-thein-sein/2527766.html References 1. http://www.voanews.com/content/voa-exclusive-interview-myanmar-president-thein-sein/2527766.html