Obama In Myanmar Hails 'Flickers Of Progress,' Warns Against Extinguishing It

U.S. President Barack Obama in a historic visit to Myanmar has hailed "the flickers of progress" that the country is beginning to see, and urged its leaders not to extinguish it.
"Reforms launched from the top of society must meet the aspirations of citizens who form its foundation," Obama said on Monday while addressing a gathering at Yangon University, venue of the 1988 democratic student unrest that was brutally suppressed by the military.
In a speech filled with praise for beginning a "remarkable journey" of reform and pressure for going much further, Obama extended a hand of friendship and support of his administration to the Thein Sein government.
To coincide with the first visit by a serving U.S. President to the country, the Myanmar government on Monday granted amnesty to 66 jail inmates, which reports say include political detainees.
"You gave us hope," and "the United States of America is with you," he told the audience at the oldest and most well-known university in Myanmar.
He called for an end to communal violence between Muslims and Buddhists in Rakhine state for the sake of the country's future.
In a departure from using British colonial name of Burma, Obama referred to the country as Myanmar, the name introduced by the military junta.
Obama, who is on a three-nation Asian tour, arrived in Myanmar on Monday from Thailand along with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. It was his first foreign tour since he was re-elected U.S. President early this month.
In his short stay spanning six hours in the tiny South Asian country, Obama also held talks with his Myanmarese counterpart Thein Sein, Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, and met United States Embassy personnel.

The meeting between Obama and Thein Sein, held at the Yangon Parliament building, was the first between the two leaders.
Addressing the media afterward, Obama said he acknowledged that the junta-turned democratic government in the country was taking initial steps of democratic and economic reforms in what will be "a very long journey," and expressed hope that it "can lead to incredible development opportunities."
Thein Sein said the two sides had reached agreements "for development of democracy in Myanmar and for promoting human rights to be of international standard," and told Obama he was committed to strengthening bilateral relations.
In a brief speech at Suu Kyi's lakeside home where his fellow Nobel laureate languished for years under house detention, Obama lauded the democracy icon's courage and determination.
Later, Obama and Clinton will depart Rangoon en route Phnom Penh, Cambodia. White House said Obama would meet with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen at the Peace Palace and then attend the U.S.-ASEAN leaders meeting, followed by the East Asian Summit Dinner.
U.S. leaders embarked on the historic tour after lifting nearly decade-old ban on most imports from the country.
Myanmar responded with promise to review prisoner cases in line with international standards and assuring access to its jails to the Red Cross.

by RTT Staff Writer