U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Thursday told President Thein Sein her government is encouraged by the reforms in Myanmar after years of military rule. UPI/Allan Tannenbaum/Pool |
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NAYPYITAW, Myanmar, Dec. 1 (UPI) -- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Thursday told President Thein Sein the U.S. will discuss exchanging ambassadors with Myanmar and ease restrictions on aid.
Clinton, the first U.S. official of her rank to visit the isolated Asian country in 50 years, met with Thein Sein, a former general who now heads a civilian government that took over after elections a year ago. Until then, Myanmar, formerly called Burma, had been under decades of military rule.
Clinton's unexpected Myanmar trip was announced by President Barack Obama during his recent Asia trip in the wake of some recent reforms toward democracy. She carried a letter from the president.
She told Thein Sein she was in Myanmar because "President Obama and myself are encouraged by the steps you and your government have taken" toward democracy.
Clinton said that Washington would discuss improving diplomatic relations with Myanmar and ease some restrictions on monetary and development aid programs, The New York Times reported.
"For decades, the choices of this country's leaders kept it apart from the global economy and the community of nations," Clinton said after meeting with Thein Sein at the presidential palace in the new capital of Naypyidaw, 200 miles north of Yangon. "Today the United States is prepared to respond to reforms with measured steps to lessen its isolation and improve the lives of citizens."
She later met with pro-democracy opposition leader, Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, who is a candidate for parliament.
Thein Sein hailed her visit as a "historic milestone" he said could lead to "enhanced relations and cooperation," the Wall Street Journal reported.
Noting the United States would support reformers within the Myanmar government, Clinton said continued U.S. support would depend on ending military violence, freeing more political prisoners in addition to the nearly 200 freed recently and peaceful resolution of ethnic conflicts.
"In each of my meetings, leaders assured me that progress would continue and broaden. And as it does, America will actively support those, inside and outside government, who genuinely seek reform," Clinton was quoted as saying at a news conference.
The secretary also urged Thein Sein to break Myanmar's military ties with North Korea, CNN reported quoting a senior State Department official.
CNN quoted Clinton as saying the United States would support World Bank and International Monetary Fund initiatives to assess help to Myanmar.
