Myanmar President Thein Sein Makes First Visit Of Burmese Official To US Since 1966

In the wake of his country being shaken by ethnic and sectarian violence, Burmese/Myanmarese President Thein Sein will arrive at the White House on Monday for a meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama. This will be the first official visit of a Burmese ruler since 1966.

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  Reuters

  Myanmar's President Thein Sein (Reuters)
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  Reuters/Soe Zeya Tun

  U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) hugs Myanmar's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi as they meet at Suu Kyi's house in Yangon Dec. 2, 2011. Clinton held a final meeting with Suu Kyi on Friday as she wrapped up a landmark visit to Myanmar which saw the new civilian government pledge to forge ahead with political reforms and re-engage with the world community.
• 
  Reuters

  Myanmar's President Thein Sein (Reuters)
• 
  Reuters/Soe Zeya Tun

  U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) hugs Myanmar's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi as they meet at Suu Kyi's house in Yangon Dec. 2, 2011. Clinton held a final meeting with Suu Kyi on Friday as she wrapped up a landmark visit to Myanmar which saw the new civilian government pledge to forge ahead with political reforms and re-engage with the world community.

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The White House’s official statement about the trip said Obama “looks forward to discussing with President Thein Sein the many remaining challenges to efforts to develop democracy, address communal and ethnic tensions, and bring economic opportunity to the people of his country.”

Obama has been pushing Thein Sein to embrace more reforms in Myanmar’s move toward democracy. Thein Sein has already freed hundreds of political prisoners, including Nobel Peace Prize and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, and eased censorship laws. Thein Sein has even credited Obama with improving relations between the U.S. and Myanmar, but said at a forum in the U.S. on Sunday that Myanmar does need more economic development, AFP reported.