Clinton urges further reforms on historic visit
In a striking display of solidarity and sisterhood between two of the world's most recognizable women, US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi vowed to work together to promote democratic reforms in Suu Kyi's long-isolated and authoritarian homeland.
Wrapping up a historic three-day visit to Myanmar, the first by a
secretary of state to the Southeast Asian nation in more than 50 years,
Clinton and Suu Kyi held hands on the porch of the lakeside home where
the Nobel peace laureate spent much of the past two decades under house
arrest. Clinton thanked her for her "steadfast and very clear
leadership."
Suu Kyi has welcomed Clinton's visit and tentatively embraced
reforms enacted by Myanmar's new civilian government. She thanked the
secretary and US President Barack Obama for their "careful and
calibrated" engagement that has seen the United States take some modest
steps to improve ties.
"If we move forward together I am confident there will be no turning
back on the road to democracy," Suu Kyi said, referring to her
opposition National League for Democracy party, the government, the
United States and other countries, including Myanmar's giant neighbor
China. "We are not on that road yet, but we hope to get there as soon as
possible with the help and understanding of our friends."
"We are happy with the way in which the United States is engaging
with us," she added. "It is through engagement that we hope to promote
the process of democratization. Because of this engagement, I think our
way ahead will be clearer and we will be able to trust that the process
of democratization will go forward."
As she did in the capital of Naypyidaw on Thursday, Clinton said
more significant incentives will be offered, but only if the government
releases all political prisoners, ends brutal campaigns against ethnic
minorities, respects the rule of law and improves human rights
conditions.
"We are prepared to go further if reforms maintain momentum,"
Clinton said. "But history teaches us to be cautious. We know that there
have been serious setbacks and grave disappointments over the past
decades."
Clinton's meetings with Suu Kyi were the highlight of the US
secretary of state's visit to the long-isolated country also known as
Burma and forcefully underscored a US challenge to Myanmar's leaders.
In addition to the modest incentives Clinton announced Thursday for
the government, she said that the US would spend about $1.2
million for preliminary projects aimed at helping the people of Myanmar.
The money will go to microcredit and health care initiatives and
assistance to land-mine victims, particularly in rural areas.
Suu Kyi, whose party won 1990 elections that were ignored by the
then-military junta but now plans to run in upcoming parliamentary
elections, endorsed that approach and called for the immediate release
of all political prisoners and cease-fires to end the ethnic conflicts..
Suu Kyi, a heroine for pro-democracy advocates around the world,
said Clinton's visit represented "a historical moment for both our
countries."
With US assistance and pressure on the government, which is still
backed by the military, she said she believed change was on the horizon
for Myanmar.
The meeting was the second in as many days for the pair who bonded
deeply at a three-hour, one-on-one dinner in Yangon on Thursday,
according to US officials. One senior official said the dinner marked
the beginning of what appeared to be a "very warm friendship" between
the former first lady, New York senator and presidential hopeful and Suu
Kyi, who plans to re-enter the political arena in upcoming
parliamentary elections.
"We have been inspired by her fearlessness in the face of
intimidation and her serenity through decades of isolation, but most of
all through her devotion to her country and to the freedom and dignity
of her fellow citizens," Clinton told reporters after the meeting Suu
Kyi.
Clinton said the two had discussed the "ups and downs and slings and
arrows of political participation" at dinner and that Suu Kyi would be
an "excellent member" of Myanmar's parliament but declined to discuss
any electoral advice she may have given here.
AP
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