Obama, in Burma speech: ‘We always remained hopeful about you’

[babylonsister]

Obama, in Burma speech: ‘We always remained hopeful about you’

View Photo Gallery — Obama’s historic visit to Burma:?President Obama will make history Monday by becoming the first U.S. president to visit the long-isolated Southeast Asian nation.


By David Nakamura, Published: November 18 | Updated: Monday, November 19, 6:10 PM

RANGOON, Burma — For 15 years, Aung San Suu Kyi waited in her lakeside villa, confined to the small plot of land under house arrest, dreaming of her return to the world.

On Monday, the world, or a big piece of it, came calling on her.

The gates, topped with barbed wire, swung open, and a black presidential limousine pulled into the driveway. Out stepped President Obama, pressing his hands together and bowing ever so slightly — a gesture the Burmese democracy leader, dressed in a green scarf, peach blouse and black sarong, returned.

They shook hands, and then another figure rushed forth and hugged her in a long, emotional embrace. It was Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. And outside the gates, a crowd had gathered and could be heard chanting: “Obama! Freedom!”



The leaders of the free world had come with a message of hope for 60 million Burmese, but it was this bow and this hug that symbolized the most — a scene almost unimaginable just two years ago when Suu Kyi, a Nobel peace laureate, was still a prisoner in her own home and Burma was ruled by a repressive military junta.

Released in 2010, she is now a member of parliament, and she visited Obama at the White House in September.

“I’m proud to be the first American president to visit this spectacular country, and I am very pleased that one of my first stops is to visit with an icon of democracy who has inspired so many people, not just in this country but all around the world,” Obama told reporters in a brief appearance with Suu Kyi after they met privately.

He added: “Here, through so many difficult years, is where she displayed such unbreakable courage and determination. It’s here where she showed that human freedom and dignity cannot be denied.”

more...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/obama-to-praise-burmas-journey-toward-democracy/2012/11/18/4aa0176a-31f1-11e2-bfd5-e202b6d7b501_story.html

[renate]

1. the new policy toward Burma, and this trip, actually produced some bipartisanship!

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, an influential voice on Myanmar policy, commended Obama for making the trip. His comment Friday underscored how Myanmar is an area of bipartisan agreement transcending Washington's deep political divisions.

snip

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said in September that the U.S would be easing the restriction to reward the reformist government of President Thein Sein, who has shifted the country from five decades of ruinous military rule. He has released hundreds of political prisoners, including democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who was elected to parliament in April.

The government and Suu Kyi have both expressed a desire for the import ban to be eased to help integrate Myanmar into the global economy, the statement said.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/us-waives-myanmar-import-ban-obamas-trip-17740455#.UKra4oex83k

[bhikkhu]

2. In a list of places where a visit from the prsident could make long-lasting good changes

Myanmar would have to be close to the top. After teetering along the line between despotism and civil war for so long, they've gone strognly toward peaceful democracy in the past 4 years. I'm so glad Obama chose this time to go there!

[Cha]

3. This is an Amazing story..thank you, babylonsistah~

So wonderful that this Tour is where PBO and SOS Hillary are doing their last visit together.