Obama's message to Myanmar

EDITORIAL

Published: 18 Nov 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

When Barack Obama arrives in Myanmar tomorrow, he will be the first sitting US president ever to do so, and there are expectations that he will make a bold gesture to encourage the country's reform and democratisation processes. The United States has already suspended sanctions on Myanmar and removed an import ban in recognition of President Thein Sein's political and economic reforms.

While Mr Obama will be careful to keep the overall tone during his visit upbeat and encouraging, he will not be able to avoid certain issues if he wishes to maintain the credibility of the US as a staunch supporter of global human rights.

In this respect, Mr Obama is well positioned to be an instrument for positive change in the country.

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Asian Hand
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Discussion 2 : 18 Nov 2012 at 11.022
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Aung Zaw wrote - "It is safe to say that Chinese influence on the Burmese [Myanmar] public is almost non-existent". AZ you are naive in this belief and that USA is going to further democracy in MYA. Government officials love PRC, they bring money and line peoples pockets. D1, agree.
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musashi
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Discussion 1 : 18 Nov 2012 at 06.461
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"..Barack Obama..encourage the country's reform and democratisation processes."

He could do the same when he is in Thailand. Having given a golden handshake that lasted several decades, its time the US president bid farewell to the old anti-communist buddies who turned out to be equally anti-democratic.
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Obama's message to Myanmar | Bangkok Post: opinion