Burma

Burma's government is accusing the U.S. and British embassies there of interfering in that nation's internal affairs by teaching what it calls "illegal courses."

An article published Thursday in the state-run newspaper New Light of Myanmar says the Western embassies have been disrupting peace and stability by offering courses in English proficiency and international relations.

State media claim the courses do not bring about the improvement of spoken English and instead are designed to indoctrinate students. They claim the courses were developed in cooperation with the opposition National League for Democracy.

The U.S. Embassy in Rangoon tells VOA it has offered the classes for years and that they are well within the bounds of diplomatic practice.