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Barack Obama hosts Burmese President Thein Sein Barack Obama praises leadership of Burma's Thein Sein
(about 1 hour later)
President Barack Obama is holding talks at the White House with Thein Sein, the first Burmese leader to make a state visit to Washington since 1966. President Barack Obama has praised Burmese President Thein Sein for his leadership in moving his country towards political and economic reform.
The US said the visit showed commitment to helping "governments that make the important decision to embrace reform". He was speaking after Thein Sein became the first Burmese leader to visit the White House since 1966.
The US has hailed changes in the ex-military state, including the release of dissidents and relaxed censorship. For the first time, President Obama called the country Myanmar, the name adopted by the military rulers in 1989.
But activists say reforms may not be sustainable and are concerned about religious violence in Burma. However, President Obama expressed "deep concern" at violence against the Muslim ethnic minority in Burma.
Thein Sein's invitation to the White House demonstrates Mr Obama's determination to keep building relations with the current government, despite warnings from human rights groups that he is making concessions too quickly, the BBC's South East Asia correspondent Jonathan Head reports. 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."
The US administration believes it needs to encourage the Burmese president to continue his reforms; it has suspended most but not all sanctions, our correspondent adds. 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".
'More development' 'Incredibly concerned'
Burma has launched a series of reforms since establishing a nominally civilian government in 2011, ending almost 50 years of military rule. 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".