Clinton wraps up Myanmar visit
- 13 years ago
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wraps up an historic trip to Myanmar Friday and holds a final meeting with pro-democracy leader Ang San Suu Kyi.
The two met at Suu Kyi's lakeside home-- where the Nobel laureate spent years under house arrest by the reclusive Myanmar government.
Both Suu Kyi and Clinton expressed their hope for a democratic future in Myanmar.
(SOUNDBITE: (English) Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar opposition leader
"Before we decide what steps to take, we have to find out what our greatest needs are, and of course, two of the greatest needs in this country are rule of law and a cessation to civil law. All hostilities must cease within this country as soon as possible."
(SOUNDBITE: (English) Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State
"Democracy is the goal. That has been the goal from the very beginning. And yet we know that it has been a long very difficult path that has been followed. We do see openings today."
Clinton's trip follows a decision by U.S. President Barack Obama last month to open the door to expanded ties, saying he saw "flickers of progress" in a country that until recently was seen as a reclusive military dictatorship firmly aligned with China.
Julie Noce, Reuters
The two met at Suu Kyi's lakeside home-- where the Nobel laureate spent years under house arrest by the reclusive Myanmar government.
Both Suu Kyi and Clinton expressed their hope for a democratic future in Myanmar.
(SOUNDBITE: (English) Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar opposition leader
"Before we decide what steps to take, we have to find out what our greatest needs are, and of course, two of the greatest needs in this country are rule of law and a cessation to civil law. All hostilities must cease within this country as soon as possible."
(SOUNDBITE: (English) Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State
"Democracy is the goal. That has been the goal from the very beginning. And yet we know that it has been a long very difficult path that has been followed. We do see openings today."
Clinton's trip follows a decision by U.S. President Barack Obama last month to open the door to expanded ties, saying he saw "flickers of progress" in a country that until recently was seen as a reclusive military dictatorship firmly aligned with China.
Julie Noce, Reuters