This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20386066
The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 5 | Version 6 |
---|---|
US President Obama hails Burma's 'remarkable journey' | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Burma is on a "remarkable journey" of reform that has further to go, Barack Obama said as he made the first visit to the South East Asian nation by a serving US president. | |
A desire for change had been met by an agenda of reform, he said, in a speech at Rangoon University. | |
So, as promised in his inaugural address in 2009, he was here to extend the hand of friendship. | |
Crowds of people, some waving US flags, lined the streets as he arrived. | |
The visit is intended to show support for the reforms put in place by Thein Sein's government since the end of military rule in November 2010. | |
Activists have cautioned that the visit may be too hasty - political prisoners remain behind bars and ethnic conflicts in border areas are unresolved. | |
On Monday another prisoner amnesty was announced, with about two-thirds of the 66 inmates to be freed reportedly political detainees. | |
'Long journey' | 'Long journey' |
Mr Obama is spending some six hours in Burma but will not visit the capital, Nay Pyi Taw. | |
The highlight of his visit was a speech at Rangoon University, which was at the heart of pro-democracy protests in 1988 that were violently suppressed by the military regime. | |
Addressing students, he said America would help to rebuild Burma's economy and could be a partner on its journey forward. | |
"But this remarkable journey has just begun, and has much further to go," he said. | |
"Reforms launched from the top of society must meet the aspirations of citizens who form its foundation. The flickers of progress that we have seen must not be extinguished," he said. | |
He also called for an end to communal violence between Muslims and Buddhists in Rakhine state that has left more than 100,000 people - mostly Muslim Rohingyas - displaced. | |
"National reconciliation will take time, but for the sake of our common humanity, and for the sake of this country's future, it is necessary to stop the incitement and to stop violence," he added. | |
Earlier Mr Obama met Thein Sein and then pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, at the lakeside home where she spent years under house arrest. | |
The pro-democracy leader thanked the US for its support but warned that difficult times could lie ahead. | The pro-democracy leader thanked the US for its support but warned that difficult times could lie ahead. |
"The most difficult time in any transition is when we think that success is in sight," she said, saying people should not be "lured by a mirage of success". | |
The US president and his team also made a brief stop at Shwedagon Pagoda, the Rangoon landmark that has been at the heart of many key moments in the country's history. | The US president and his team also made a brief stop at Shwedagon Pagoda, the Rangoon landmark that has been at the heart of many key moments in the country's history. |
Mr Obama is being accompanied by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton - who returns to Burma almost a year after her first visit. | Mr Obama is being accompanied by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton - who returns to Burma almost a year after her first visit. |
'No illusions' | 'No illusions' |
Thein Sein's government came to power after widely-criticised polls in November 2010 that saw military rule replaced with a military-backed civilian government. | Thein Sein's government came to power after widely-criticised polls in November 2010 that saw military rule replaced with a military-backed civilian government. |
Since then - to the surprise of many - his administration has embarked on a reform process. Many - but not all - political prisoners have been freed, censorship has been relaxed and some economic reforms enacted. | Since then - to the surprise of many - his administration has embarked on a reform process. Many - but not all - political prisoners have been freed, censorship has been relaxed and some economic reforms enacted. |
Ms Suu Kyi was freed from house arrest shortly after the polls. Her NLD party, which boycotted the elections, has since rejoined the political process. It now has a small presence in parliament, after a landslide win in by-elections deemed generally free and fair in April. | Ms Suu Kyi was freed from house arrest shortly after the polls. Her NLD party, which boycotted the elections, has since rejoined the political process. It now has a small presence in parliament, after a landslide win in by-elections deemed generally free and fair in April. |
In response, many Western nations have relaxed sanctions against Burma and begun a process of engagement. | In response, many Western nations have relaxed sanctions against Burma and begun a process of engagement. |
But rights groups have cautioned against a rush to embrace the South East Asian nation, warning that political prisoners remain behind bars and ethnic conflicts are unresolved. | But rights groups have cautioned against a rush to embrace the South East Asian nation, warning that political prisoners remain behind bars and ethnic conflicts are unresolved. |
Mr Obama has stressed that his visit is not an unqualified endorsement of the Burmese government. | Mr Obama has stressed that his visit is not an unqualified endorsement of the Burmese government. |
"I don't think anybody is under any illusion that Burma's arrived, that they're where they need to be," he said in Bangkok on Sunday. | "I don't think anybody is under any illusion that Burma's arrived, that they're where they need to be," he said in Bangkok on Sunday. |
"On the other hand, if we waited to engage until they had achieved a perfect democracy, my suspicion is we'd be waiting an awful long time," he added. | "On the other hand, if we waited to engage until they had achieved a perfect democracy, my suspicion is we'd be waiting an awful long time," he added. |
After visiting Burma, Mr Obama will head to Cambodia to join a meeting of the Association of South East Asian Nations, in a trip that underlines the shift in US foreign policy focus to the Asia-Pacific region. | After visiting Burma, Mr Obama will head to Cambodia to join a meeting of the Association of South East Asian Nations, in a trip that underlines the shift in US foreign policy focus to the Asia-Pacific region. |