Suu Kyi hopeful about Myanmar reforms

YANGON, Myanmar, Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Aung San Suu Kyi said Friday after meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Myanmar could get "on the road to democracy."

The pro-democracy leader welcomed U.S. engagement in her country, while Clinton, the first U.S. secretary of state to visit Myanmar in 50 years, called Suu Kyi "an inspiration."

The meeting at Suu Kyi's home in Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, was their second in two days. The talks came at a crucial time, with the isolated country under a new civilian government and taking steps toward democracy after decades of military rule.

"If we go forward together I'm confident there will be no turning back from the road to democracy. We are not on that road yet, but we hope to get there as soon as possible with our friends," Suu Kyi told reporters after her meeting with Clinton, The Washington Post reported.

Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, had been under house arrest for years until 2010. The new government of President Thein Sein has allowed her and her party to participate in elections. She has announced plans to run in the next parliamentary election.

Clinton told the BBC she had followed Suu Kyi for years and said it was an honor to meet her.

"It was like seeing a friend you hadn't seen for a very long time even though it was our first meeting," Clinton said.

"It was incredibly emotional and gratifying to see her free from the many years of house arrest."

Suu Kyi and Clinton agreed the new government in Myanmar, formerly called Burma, needs to introduce more democratic reforms, stressing the need for rule of law and the freeing of all political prisoners.

The government still holds hundreds of political prisoners and the country is still beset by ethnic conflicts.

Clinton said it was prudent for Suu Kyi to capitalize on signs of change in the country but said more reform is needed.

"There has to be a momentum behind reform and we're waiting and watching for that," Clinton said.

Suu Kyi urged other countries to support Myanmar's march toward democracy. She also stressed the need to maintain friendly ties with China, her country's longstanding ally.

Neither Clinton nor Suu Kyi brought up the U.S. sanctions against trade with Myanmar, and they are expected to remain in force for a while, The New York Times said.

Clinton's visit was made possible after U.S. President Barack Obama, noting the recent changes in Myanmar, urged her to seek ways to widen relations.

Clinton met with Thein Sein and other top government officials Thursday. She promised U.S. support to help in Myanmar's development, conditioned on the new government continuing with its reforms toward democracy. The two countries could even exchange ambassadors.

CNN, quoting a State Department official, reported Clinton invited Myanmar's foreign minister to visit Washington and that he had accepted, but no date was set.