Clinton and Suu Kyi pledge ties
Source: Agencies |
December 3, 2011, Saturday
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Print Edition
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US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi vowed yesterday to work together to promote democratic reforms in Suu Kyi's 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 US take modest steps to improve ties.
"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."
Clinton said more significant incentives will be offered, but only if the government releases all political prisoners, ends 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. In addition to the incentives Clinton announced on Thursday, she said yesterday that the US would spend about US$1.2 million microcredit and health care initiatives and assistance to land-mine victims, especially in rural areas.
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 US take modest steps to improve ties.
"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."
Clinton said more significant incentives will be offered, but only if the government releases all political prisoners, ends 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. In addition to the incentives Clinton announced on Thursday, she said yesterday that the US would spend about US$1.2 million microcredit and health care initiatives and assistance to land-mine victims, especially in rural areas.
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