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Barack Obama presses for Burma reform Barack Obama presses for Burma reform
(about 2 hours later)
Barack Obama has become the first serving US president to visit Burma, trying during a whirlwind six-hour trip to strike a balance between praising the government's progress in shaking off military rule and pressing for more reform. Barack Obama has become the first serving US president to visit Burma, using the six-hour trip to try to strike a balance between praising the government's progress in shaking off military rule and pressing for more reform.
Obama's first stop was a meeting with President Thein Sein, a former junta member who has carried out a programme of reforms since taking office in March 2011.Obama's first stop was a meeting with President Thein Sein, a former junta member who has carried out a programme of reforms since taking office in March 2011.
"I've shared with him the fact that I recognise this is just the first steps on what will be a long journey," Obama told reporters, with Thein Sein at his side."I've shared with him the fact that I recognise this is just the first steps on what will be a long journey," Obama told reporters, with Thein Sein at his side.
"But we think a process of democratic and economic reform here in Myanmar that has been begun by the president is one that can lead to incredible development opportunities," he said."But we think a process of democratic and economic reform here in Myanmar that has been begun by the president is one that can lead to incredible development opportunities," he said.
Thein Sein, speaking in Burmese with an interpreter translating his remarks, responded that the two sides would move forward, "based on mutual trust, respect and understanding".Thein Sein, speaking in Burmese with an interpreter translating his remarks, responded that the two sides would move forward, "based on mutual trust, respect and understanding".
"During our discussions we also reached agreement for the development of democracy in Burma and for promotion of human rights to be aligned with international standards," he added. "During our discussions we also reached agreement for the development of democracy in Burma and for promotion of human rights to be aligned with international standards," he said.
Tens of thousands of well-wishers, including children waving American and Burmese flags, lined Obama's route to the old parliament in the former capital, Rangoon, where he met Thein Sein. Tens of thousands of wellwishers, including children waving American and Burmese flags, lined Obama's route to the old parliament in the former capital, Rangoon, where he met Thein Sein. Some held signs saying: "We love Obama". Approaching the building, crowds spilled into the street, getting close enough to touch Obama's vehicle.
Some held signs saying "We love Obama". Approaching the building, crowds spilled into the street, getting close enough to touch Obama's vehicle. The president moved on to meet fellow Nobel peace prize laureate and long-time opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, who led the struggle against military rule and is now a member of parliament. The pair held talks at Aung San Suu Kyi's lakeside home.
Obama moved on to meet the fellow Nobel peace prize laureate and long-time opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, who led the struggle against military rule and is now a member of parliament. The pair held talks at Aung San Suu Kyi's lakeside home. On the way Obama made a surprise stop at the Shwedagon pagoda, where he, the secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, and their entire entourage, including secret service agents, went barefoot up the giant stone staircase.
On the way Obama made a surprise stop at the Shwedagon pagoda, where the president, secretary of state Hillary Clinton and their entire entourage, secret service agents included, went barefoot up the giant stone staircase. Obama's trip is meant to highlight what the White House has touted as a major foreign policy achievement: its success in pushing Burma's generals to enact changes that have unfolded with surprising speed over the past year.
Obama's trip to Burma is meant to highlight what the White House has touted as a major foreign policy achievement: its success in pushing the country's generals to enact changes that have unfolded with surprising speed over the past year. But some international human rights groups objected to the visit, saying Obama was rewarding the government of the former pariah state for a job they regard as incomplete.
But some international human rights group object to the visit, saying Obama is rewarding the government of the former pariah state for a job they regard as incomplete.
Speaking in Thailand on the eve of his visit, Obama denied he was going to offer his "endorsement" or that his trip was premature.Speaking in Thailand on the eve of his visit, Obama denied he was going to offer his "endorsement" or that his trip was premature.
"I don't think anybody is under the illusion that Burma's arrived, that they're where they need to be," Obama said. "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.""I don't think anybody is under the illusion that Burma's arrived, that they're where they need to be," Obama said. "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."
Obama's south-east Asia trip, less than two weeks after his re-election, is aimed at showing how serious he is about shifting the US strategic focus eastwards as America winds down wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The so-called "Asia pivot" is also meant to counter China's rising influence.Obama's south-east Asia trip, less than two weeks after his re-election, is aimed at showing how serious he is about shifting the US strategic focus eastwards as America winds down wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The so-called "Asia pivot" is also meant to counter China's rising influence.
In a move timed to show goodwill, the authorities in Burma began to release dozens of political prisoners on Monday, including Myint Aye, arguably the most prominent dissident left in its gulag. Some 66 prisoners will be freed, two-thirds of them dissidents, according to activists and prison officials. In a move timed to show good will, the authorities in Burma began to release dozens of political prisoners on Monday, including Myint Aye, arguably the most prominent dissident left in its gulag. Some 66 prisoners will be freed, two-thirds of them dissidents, according to activists and prison officials.
The government will also let the International Committee of the Red Cross resume prisoner visits, according to a statement late on Sunday, and the authorities plan to "devise a transparent mechanism to review remaining prisoner cases of concern by the end of December 2012".The government will also let the International Committee of the Red Cross resume prisoner visits, according to a statement late on Sunday, and the authorities plan to "devise a transparent mechanism to review remaining prisoner cases of concern by the end of December 2012".
In a speech to be given at Rangoon University to an audience that will include several high-profile former prisoners, Obama will stress the rule of law and allude to the need to amend a constitution that still gives a great role in politics to the military, including a quarter of the seats in parliament. In a speech to be given at Rangoon University to an audience that will include several high-profile former prisoners, Obama will stress the rule of law and allude to the need to amend a constitution that still gives a considerable role in politics to the military, including a quarter of the seats in parliament.
"America may have the strongest military in the world but it must submit to civilian control. As president and commander-in-chief I cannot just impose my will on our Congress, even though sometimes I wish I could.""America may have the strongest military in the world but it must submit to civilian control. As president and commander-in-chief I cannot just impose my will on our Congress, even though sometimes I wish I could."
Violence between majority Buddhists and the Rohingya Muslim minority in western Burma is a top concern, and Obama's aides said he would address the issue directly with Burma's leaders.Violence between majority Buddhists and the Rohingya Muslim minority in western Burma is a top concern, and Obama's aides said he would address the issue directly with Burma's leaders.
Burma considers the Rohingya Muslims to be illegal immigrants from neighbouring Bangladesh and does not recognise them as citizens. At least 167 people were killed in two periods of violence in Rakhine state in June and October this year.Burma considers the Rohingya Muslims to be illegal immigrants from neighbouring Bangladesh and does not recognise them as citizens. At least 167 people were killed in two periods of violence in Rakhine state in June and October this year.