U.S. to downgrade Myanmar ties, decides not to send ambassador

BANGKOK/YANGON — The U.S. will downgrade its diplomatic relations with Myanmar, with the incumbent American ambassador, Thomas Vajda, returning residence later this month and Washington deciding to not ship a successor, Nikkei Asia has discovered.

“Deputy chief of mission Deborah Lynn will assume duties as cost d’affaires at [the] U.S. Embassy Rangoon upon Ambassador Vajda’s departure,” a State Division spokesperson responded to Nikkei by e-mail.