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Hillary Clinton to press Burma's Thein Sein on reforms Hillary Clinton pressing Burma's Thein Sein on reforms
(40 minutes later)
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is due to meet Burma's President Thein Sein to discuss the pace of reform, on the second day of her historic visit. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has met Burma's President Thein Sein to discuss the pace of reform, on the second day of her historic visit.
Mrs Clinton, the most senior American to visit the country in half a century, says she wants to see for herself the government's commitment to change.Mrs Clinton, the most senior American to visit the country in half a century, says she wants to see for herself the government's commitment to change.
The US maintains tight sanctions on senior figures in Burma's hierarchy.The US maintains tight sanctions on senior figures in Burma's hierarchy.
But a series of reforms this year has led to speculation that decades of isolation could be about to end.But a series of reforms this year has led to speculation that decades of isolation could be about to end.
However, US officials have stressed that there is unlikely to be any major announcements on sanctions during Mrs Clinton's trip.However, US officials have stressed that there is unlikely to be any major announcements on sanctions during Mrs Clinton's trip.
Analysts say the US is more likely to consider symbolic gestures such as upgrading its mission in Burma to a full embassy.Analysts say the US is more likely to consider symbolic gestures such as upgrading its mission in Burma to a full embassy.
Mrs Clinton's talks with Burma's leadership got under way on Thursday when she met Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin before the talks with President Thein Sein.Mrs Clinton's talks with Burma's leadership got under way on Thursday when she met Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin before the talks with President Thein Sein.
BBC state department correspondent Kim Ghattas, travelling with Hillary Clinton, says Mrs Clinton's visit is both a reward for the reforms that have already taken place and an incentive for Burma's government to do more. BBC state department correspondent Kim Ghattas, travelling with Mrs Clinton, says the top US diplomat's visit is both a reward for the reforms that have already taken place and an incentive for Burma's government to do more.
The US secretary of state said she was quite hopeful that the "flickers of progress" could transform into a real movement for change - American officials and the Burmese opposition are cautiously optimistic, our correspondent adds.The US secretary of state said she was quite hopeful that the "flickers of progress" could transform into a real movement for change - American officials and the Burmese opposition are cautiously optimistic, our correspondent adds.
'No resistance''No resistance'
Mrs Clinton is the first secretary of state to visit Burma since 1955.Mrs Clinton is the first secretary of state to visit Burma since 1955.
The country was taken over by the military in 1962 and ruled by a brutal and unpredictable junta until last year, when the army ceded power to a nominally civilian government.The country was taken over by the military in 1962 and ruled by a brutal and unpredictable junta until last year, when the army ceded power to a nominally civilian government.
Although the government is still dominated by figures from the previous military regime, it has introduced several important reforms, and released groups of political prisoners.Although the government is still dominated by figures from the previous military regime, it has introduced several important reforms, and released groups of political prisoners.
The visit comes weeks after President Barack Obama toured Asia and made a series of announcements bolstering American commitments in the region.The visit comes weeks after President Barack Obama toured Asia and made a series of announcements bolstering American commitments in the region.
Observers have portrayed the new US focus on Asia as an attempt to counter China's attempts to become the pre-eminent power in the area.Observers have portrayed the new US focus on Asia as an attempt to counter China's attempts to become the pre-eminent power in the area.
And Chinese state media has reacted furiously to Mrs Clinton's visit to Burma.And Chinese state media has reacted furiously to Mrs Clinton's visit to Burma.
The Global Times, which often runs bombastic nationalistic editorials, warned the US not to impinge on China's interests.The Global Times, which often runs bombastic nationalistic editorials, warned the US not to impinge on China's interests.
"China has no resistance toward Myanmar [Burma] seeking improved relationship with the West, but it will not accept this while seeing its interests stamped on," said a comment piece in the paper."China has no resistance toward Myanmar [Burma] seeking improved relationship with the West, but it will not accept this while seeing its interests stamped on," said a comment piece in the paper.
China has invested heavily in Burma, particularly in the energy sector.China has invested heavily in Burma, particularly in the energy sector.
But big Chinese-funded projects such as a hydroelectric dam in the north have provoked resentment among Burmese and led to an upsurge in fighting between ethnic rebels and the army.But big Chinese-funded projects such as a hydroelectric dam in the north have provoked resentment among Burmese and led to an upsurge in fighting between ethnic rebels and the army.
Mrs Clinton landed in the remote capital, Nay Pyi Taw, on Wednesday afternoon. After her meeting with Thein Sein, she is due to head to the main city Rangoon to meet pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.Mrs Clinton landed in the remote capital, Nay Pyi Taw, on Wednesday afternoon. After her meeting with Thein Sein, she is due to head to the main city Rangoon to meet pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Ms Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy recently re-registered as a political party, and she is expected to stand for parliament in forthcoming by-elections.Ms Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy recently re-registered as a political party, and she is expected to stand for parliament in forthcoming by-elections.
The NLD had operated outside the political system for two decades, and Ms Suu Kyi spent much of that time in detention. She was freed shortly after the current government came to power.The NLD had operated outside the political system for two decades, and Ms Suu Kyi spent much of that time in detention. She was freed shortly after the current government came to power.