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                        Obama On Historic Visit to Burma

   by Dan Robinson

   U.S. President Barack Obama has met with Burmese president Thein Sein
   and with democracy figure Aung San Suu Kyi.
   Mr. Obama's visit is the first by a serving U.S. president and is aimed
   at acknowledging the beginnings of reforms in the East Asian nation.
   Mr. Obama's visit to this nation of 55 million is a dramatic symbol of
   his intention of encouraging not only Burma toward further reform, but
   setting an example for other nations.

   After arriving on Air Force One with Secretary of State Hillary
   Clinton, the president's motorcade drove down a main road lined with
   thousands of people, including students holding U.S. and Burmese flags,
   some with signs reading "Mr. Obama we love you."

   In excerpts of a speech he will deliver to the Burmese people, Mr.
   Obama refers to the pledge he made at his inauguration in 2009 to
   "extend a hand" to governments that ruled by fear if they are ready to
   "unclench their fist."

   He says Burma has begun a dramatic transition under President Thein
   Sein, a former general, in which "the desire for change has been met by
   an agenda for reform."

   He recognizes the establishment of what he calls "an assertive
   parliament," the release of some political prisoners, and the banning
   of forced labor, and new economic laws.

   But he cautions that Burma has much further to go, saying "reforms
   launched at the top of society must meet the aspirations of citizens
   who form its foundation."

   At the Burmese parliament building, Mr. Obama met with President Thein
   Sein.

   Mr. Obama said he shared the U.S. belief that the process of reform
   will move Burma forward, though these are "first steps on what will be
   a long journey."  The president used "Myanmar," the name imposed by the
   military decades ago, and used by the emerging civilian government.

   President Thein Sein said U.S. - Burma relations had experienced some
   disappointments and obstacles over the past two decades but are now
   progressing and Burma is committed to strengthening relations.

   Mr. Obama then went to the home of democracy figure Aung San Suu Kyi,
   who spent years in and out of house arrest at the hands of the
   military.

   In his speech from the University of Rangoon, Mr. Obama is expected to
   say the United States and Burma "became strangers" but Americans remain
   hopeful about the courage of the Burmese people.

   Mr. Obama also will say that as in America, those in power must accept
   constraints, and he will call for expansion of basic freedoms in a
   system "where national security is strengthened by a military that
   serves under civilians."

   The president is also expected to say the United States will engage
   with Burma's military to promote professionalism and human rights.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/obama-burma/1548647.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/obama-burma/1548647.html