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Barack Obama praises leadership of Burma's Thein Sein | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
President Barack Obama has praised Burmese President Thein Sein for his leadership in moving his country towards political and economic reform. | |
He was speaking after Thein Sein became the first Burmese leader to visit the White House since 1966. | |
For the first time, President Obama called the country Myanmar, the name adopted by the military rulers in 1989. | |
However, President Obama expressed "deep concern" at violence against the Muslim ethnic minority in Burma. | |
He said he recognised President Thein Sein had made "genuine efforts" to resolve the long-standing ethnic tensions in the country, but went on to say: "The displacement of people, the violence directed towards them needs to stop." | |
President Thein Sein, through a translator, acknowledged Burma had "many challenges" and "for democracy to flourish... we will have to move forward, and we will have to undertake political reforms and economic reforms". | |
'Incredibly concerned' | |
The visit had been criticised by human rights groups who accused President Obama of moving too quickly to rehabilitate Burma as it emerges from decades of military rule. | |
But the US had said the visit showed commitment to helping "governments that make the important decision to embrace reform". | |
The US has hailed changes in the ex-military state, including the release of dissidents and relaxed censorship, since it ended almost 50 years of military rule in 2011 by establishing a nominally civilian government. | |
Thein Sein heads an administration that was elected in November 2010 in the country's first elections in two decades. The Aung San Suu Kyi-led opposition has a small presence in parliament after a landslide win in by-elections in April 2012 largely deemed free and fair. | Thein Sein heads an administration that was elected in November 2010 in the country's first elections in two decades. The Aung San Suu Kyi-led opposition has a small presence in parliament after a landslide win in by-elections in April 2012 largely deemed free and fair. |
Speaking at a forum at the office of US broadcaster Voice of America on Sunday, Thein Sein said US-Burma relations had "greatly improved thanks to the policies of President Obama". | Speaking at a forum at the office of US broadcaster Voice of America on Sunday, Thein Sein said US-Burma relations had "greatly improved thanks to the policies of President Obama". |
"For our political reforms, we also need more economic development," he said. | "For our political reforms, we also need more economic development," he said. |
He defended the allocation of 25% of seats in Burma's parliament to the military - something entrenched in the country's 2008 constitution. | He defended the allocation of 25% of seats in Burma's parliament to the military - something entrenched in the country's 2008 constitution. |
"[The military] is a defensive force. You cannot deny their place in politics," he said. | "[The military] is a defensive force. You cannot deny their place in politics," he said. |
International groups have also voiced concerns about serious religious violence in Burma in recent months. | International groups have also voiced concerns about serious religious violence in Burma in recent months. |
At least 40 people were killed in anti-Muslim riots in central Burma last month, while widespread unrest in 2012 between Buddhists and Muslims in Rakhine state left nearly 200 people dead, and thousands of Rohingya Muslims displaced. | At least 40 people were killed in anti-Muslim riots in central Burma last month, while widespread unrest in 2012 between Buddhists and Muslims in Rakhine state left nearly 200 people dead, and thousands of Rohingya Muslims displaced. |
Democratic Congressman Joe Crowley said in a statement that he was "incredibly concerned about the facts on the ground in Burma, including human rights violations against ethnic nationalities". | Democratic Congressman Joe Crowley said in a statement that he was "incredibly concerned about the facts on the ground in Burma, including human rights violations against ethnic nationalities". |
Jennifer Quigley, from the US Campaign for Burma, said: "President Obama is sending the message that crimes against humanity by state forces against ethnic and religious minorities in Burma will be ignored by his administration." | Jennifer Quigley, from the US Campaign for Burma, said: "President Obama is sending the message that crimes against humanity by state forces against ethnic and religious minorities in Burma will be ignored by his administration." |
Hundreds of political prisoners have been freed - more than 20 were pardoned prior to Thein Sein's trip. However, activists say that more remain behind bars, and have described the timing of the releases as "manipulative". | Hundreds of political prisoners have been freed - more than 20 were pardoned prior to Thein Sein's trip. However, activists say that more remain behind bars, and have described the timing of the releases as "manipulative". |
On Friday, Thein Sein's office director Zaw Htay denied that the government was using political prisoners as "tools". | On Friday, Thein Sein's office director Zaw Htay denied that the government was using political prisoners as "tools". |