11/18/2012

Obama praises Suu Kyi during historic Myanmar visit

U.S. President Barack Obama hugs Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi after making a speech at her residence in Yangon on Monday, November 19. Obama met the democracy icon during a historic visit to Yangon aimed at encouraging political reforms in the former pariah state. U.S. President Barack Obama hugs Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi after making a speech at her residence in Yangon on Monday, November 19. Obama met the democracy icon during a historic visit to Yangon aimed at encouraging political reforms in the former pariah state.
U.S. President Obama is greeted by Myanmar pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi at her residence in Yangon on Monday.U.S. President Obama is greeted by Myanmar pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi at her residence in Yangon on Monday.
U.S. President Obama shakes hands with Myanmar's President Thein Sein in Yangon on Monday.U.S. President Obama shakes hands with Myanmar's President Thein Sein in Yangon on Monday.
U.S. President Obama and Myanmar's President Thein Sein hold a meeting at the regional parliament building in Yangon on Monday.U.S. President Obama and Myanmar's President Thein Sein hold a meeting at the regional parliament building in Yangon on Monday.
U.S. President Obama (3rd L) and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (front R) are escorted around the grounds as they visit the Shwedagon pagoda in Yangon on Monday.U.S. President Obama (3rd L) and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (front R) are escorted around the grounds as they visit the Shwedagon pagoda in Yangon on Monday.
U.S. President Obama performs a ritual as U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton looks on at a visit to the Shwedagon pagoda in Yangon on Monday.U.S. President Obama performs a ritual as U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton looks on at a visit to the Shwedagon pagoda in Yangon on Monday.
U.S. President Obama is greeted by a local woman as he arrives with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Yangon, Myanmar, on Monday.U.S. President Obama is greeted by a local woman as he arrives with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Yangon, Myanmar, on Monday.
U.S. President Obama waves after stepping off his flight.U.S. President Obama waves after stepping off his flight.
U.S. President Obama waves as he arrives at the Yangon international airport on Monday.U.S. President Obama waves as he arrives at the Yangon international airport on Monday.
U.S. President Obama is greeted by a contingent at the Yangon International airport on Monday.U.S. President Obama is greeted by a contingent at the Yangon International airport on Monday.
Local residents wait in anticipation as Obama's motorcade drives to the Parliament House in Yangon.Local residents wait in anticipation as Obama's motorcade drives to the Parliament House in Yangon.
Local residents line up along the street with cameras as Obama's motorcade drives to the Parliament House in Yangon.Local residents line up along the street with cameras as Obama's motorcade drives to the Parliament House in Yangon.
A girl holds American flags that she just purchased at a flag shop as Yangon, Myanmar, prepares for Obama's visit. Obama will be the first U.S. president to visit Myanmar, also known as Burma, during his four-day tour of Southeast Asia, which will also include visits to Thailand and Cambodia.A girl holds American flags that she just purchased at a flag shop as Yangon, Myanmar, prepares for Obama's visit. Obama will be the first U.S. president to visit Myanmar, also known as Burma, during his four-day tour of Southeast Asia, which will also include visits to Thailand and Cambodia.
Two men silk-screen Obama T-shirts at a shop in Yangon on Sunday in preparation for Obama's visit.Two men silk-screen Obama T-shirts at a shop in Yangon on Sunday in preparation for Obama's visit.
A Burmese woman fixes an American flag onto a wooden stick at a flag shop in Yangon on Sunday.A Burmese woman fixes an American flag onto a wooden stick at a flag shop in Yangon on Sunday.
A Burmese man walks by graffiti depicting the U.S. president on Saturday in Yangon.A Burmese man walks by graffiti depicting the U.S. president on Saturday in Yangon.
Kyu Kyu Mar, owner of Super silk screening shop, holds a T-shirt printed with an image of U.S. President Obama on Friday in Yangon.Kyu Kyu Mar, owner of Super silk screening shop, holds a T-shirt printed with an image of U.S. President Obama on Friday in Yangon.
A Buddhist Monk reads a local newspaper carrying a picture of U.S. President Obama in downtown Yangon on Saturday.A Buddhist Monk reads a local newspaper carrying a picture of U.S. President Obama in downtown Yangon on Saturday.
A Burmese worker is seen in a flag shop surrounded by American flags on Friday in Yangon.A Burmese worker is seen in a flag shop surrounded by American flags on Friday in Yangon.
Cups printed with pictures of US President Barack Obama and Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi are displayed at a shop in downtown Yangon on Saturday.Cups printed with pictures of US President Barack Obama and Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi are displayed at a shop in downtown Yangon on Saturday.
T-shirts printed with pictures of US President Barack Obama and Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi at a shop in downtown Yangon on SaturdayT-shirts printed with pictures of US President Barack Obama and Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi at a shop in downtown Yangon on Saturday
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  • NEW: Obama meets with Burma's president and Aung San Suu Kyi
  • He's the first sitting U.S. president to visit Myanmar, also known as Burma
  • Will encourage leaders to continue "remarkable journey"
  • Receives warm welcome from Burmese people

(CNN) -- Barack Obama met with Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi at her home in Myanmar on Monday, lauding her "courage and determination" during an historic visit to the once repressive and secretive country.

The first sitting U.S. president to visit Myanmar, Obama urged its leaders, which have embarked on a series of far-reaching political and economic reforms since 2011, not to extinguish the "flickers of progress that we have seen."

Obama said that his visit to the lakeside villa where the pro-democracy icon spent years under house arrest marked a new chapter between the two countries.

"Here, through so many difficult years, is where she has displayed such unbreakable courage and determination," Obama told reporters, while standing side by side with his fellow Nobel peace laureate. "It is here that she has human freedom and human dignity cannot be denied."

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The country, which is also known as Burma, was ruled by military leaders until early 2011 and for decades was politically and economically cut off from the rest of the world.

Suu Kyi also warned that Burma's opening up would be difficult.

"The most difficult time in any transition is when we think success is in sight, then we have to be very careful that we are not lured by a mirage of success and that we are working toward its genuine success for our people and friendship between our two countries," she said.

Opinion: Myanmar faces unfolding crisis

Before meeting Suu Kyi, Obama spent an hour with Myanmar's President Thein Sein, whose reform drive has seen the release of hundreds of political prisoners and steps to open up the country's economy.

Obama said the democratic and economic reforms begun by the president could lead to "incredible development opportunities." Thein Sein, who wore a long purple sarong and white shirt, told Obama he was committed to strengthening bilateral relations.

In a departure from usual protocol, Obama referred to the country as Myanmar. The name Myanmar was introduced by the former military regime 23 years ago and is preferred by the country's current leaders, but the Obama administration has largely stuck to British colonial name of Burma that is also used by Suu Kyi and democracy activists.

As well as meeting Thein Sein and Suu Kyi, Obama will deliver a speech at the University of Yangon, where he will urge the country to continue with its "remarkable journey."

"The flickers of progress that we have seen must not be extinguished," Obama will say, according to excerpts of his speech released before his arrival. "Reforms launched from the top of society must meet the aspirations of citizens who form its foundation."

"Obama fever" has gripped Yangon, with the street from the airport lined with crowds waving the stars and stripes, taking pictures and craning for a glimpse of the president. Obama's image also featured on T-shirts and mugs for sale in city stores.

On the eve of his Myanmar trip, Obama insisted that the visit was "not an endorsement of the Burmese government."

"This is an acknowledgment that there is a process under way inside that country that even a year and a half, two years ago, nobody foresaw," Obama told reporters in Thailand on Sunday, the first stop on his Asia trip. He added that the country was moving "in a better direction."

Western governments have responded to Myanmar's progressive efforts by easing sanctions that targeted the military regime. On Friday, the U.S. eased restrictions on imports of most goods from Burma.

But the country has also witnessed bouts of turmoil in recent months. Violence between Rohingya Muslims and local Buddhists broke out in the western state of Rakhine.

What's behind sectarian violence in Myanmar?

During the latest eruption of tensions, the United Nations said at least 89 people were killed in two weeks, and 110,000 were displaced.

Obama will urge Myanmar to use its "diversity as a strength, not a weakness."

"I believe deeply that this country can transcend its differences, and that every human being within these borders is a part of your nation's story."

He is expected to meet briefly with representatives of civil society organizations, including an advocate for Burma's Rohingya population.

However, some aid organizations are questioning whether now is the right time for Obama to add legitimacy to Thein Sein's government.

Burmese exile leaders and human rights advocates have expressed concerns that the visit is too soon, and may not yield the additional reforms that a presidential visit can deliver if it happens at the right time.

CNN's Josh Levs, Holly Yan, Gabriella Schwarz, Paula Hancocks and Dan Rivers contributed to this report.

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