Monday 19 November 2012

Obama pledges commitment to Burma’s reforms

Obama pledges commitment to Burma’s reforms


If Burma continues with its commitment to democratic reforms and ending ethnic conflict, the United States will offer its ongoing support in assisting to rebuild its crippled economy, US President Barack Obama said on Monday afternoon.
Barack Obama during Yangon University address Monday 19 November.
Addressing a crowd of some 1,300 people at Yangon University, and flanked by Burmese pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, not to mention an anxious security detail, the president was speaking during his six-hour trip to the former Burmese capital, and the first ever to the country by a US president.

“When I took office as President, I sent a message to those governments who ruled by fear: ‘We will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist,’” he said.

“And over the last year and a half, a dramatic transition has begun as a dictatorship of five decades has loosened its grip. Under President Thein Sein, the desire for change has been met by an agenda for reform.

“So today I’ve come to keep my promise and extend the hand of friendship,” he said.

It was perhaps no coincidence that Obama referred to Burma’s previous years of dictatorship while delivering a speech at Yangon University, formerly Rangoon University, which was the scene of student uprisings in 1962, 1974, 1988 and 1996, most of which were violently suppressed. The former military junta closed the campus in the 1990s fearing further unrest.

While praising President Thein Sein and noting the progress his government has made toward democratic reforms and improving freedom of speech for Burmese citizens, Obama noted that Burma still has to find a solution to its ethnic conflicts and to release all prisoners of conscience.

“On that journey, America will support you every step of the way: by using our assistance to empower civil society; by engaging your military to promote professionalism and human rights; and by partnership with you as you connect your progress towards democracy with economic development.”

Obama stressed Burma’s need to aim for economic prosperity, and noted the US had lifted sanctions, now allowing American firms to invest in the country.

“But that kind of growth must leave corruption behind,” he cautioned.

When the 51-year-old president stressed the need for Burma, torn by long-running civil war and ethnic conflict, to achieve national reconciliation, the room erupted in deafening applause.

The bloody conflict in Burma’s western Rakhine State also needs to be addressed, as does the debate over citizenship, said the Hawaiian-born president, explaining that the US is also a nation of immigrants.

Seated between Clinton and Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell, Suu Kyi visibly enjoyed a lengthy discussion with Claire Mitchell, the wife of the new US Ambassador Derek Mitchell before the US President began his speech.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate received her standard rock star welcome as, dressed in peach and dark green, she greeted dignitaries and posed for photos with a surging crowd armed with smiles, Smart Phones and cameras.

Obama concluded his remarks the same way he began, by addressing the audience in their own language, if only to say “thank you”; but it was enough for this Burmese audience, whose enthusiasm for the American almost matched that for Suu Kyi.

Obama left at 3:40 pm for Rangoon airport where he was due to fly immediately to Phnom Penh to participate in the current ASEAN summit.


This article first appeared on the Mizzima website on Monday 19 November: http://www.mizzima.com/news/inside-burma/8430-obama-pledges-commitment-to-burmas-reforms.html

Tuesday 6 November 2012

US Election: What if Myanmar could vote?

US Election: What if Myanmar could vote?

By Victoria Bruce 
Senior Reporter, M-ZINE+
Freelance contribution to the GlobalPost
 
MYANMAR — As part of GlobalPost's project to interview 100 people in 20 locations around the world about the 2012 US election, we asked residents in Myanmar:

Who do you want to win the 2012 US election?
Will the election affect your country?
How has your view of the US changed since President Obama took office?
What should the next US president do?

  • Name: Myint Swe
  • Country: Myanmar
  • Occupation: Monk
  • Age: 34
  • I would vote for: Undecided
My vote: "I don't know."

The election's impact:
"Our country is just starting to re-engage with the United States so I hope this process will continue after the 2012 election. I hope whoever is the new president will continue promoting good relations between US and Myanmar."

My view:
"I am glad the US has started dialogue with Myanmar — our country needs help to improve living conditions for everyone. But US dialogue against countries like Iran worries me. Our world does not need more war."

Top priority:
 "Make a move towards global security stability and peace with Iran."
  • Name: Ken Tun
  • Country: Myanmar
  • Occupation: CEO of local energy firm Parami Energy
  • Age: 38
  • I would vote for: Obama
My vote: "Barack Obama. I'm impressed with policies of the Obama administration, especially the foreign policy team led by Hillary Clinton. I was touched when she requested a minute of silence for Cyclone Nargis victims in Myanmar in 2008."

The election's impact:
 "We are currently undergoing a political and social transition in Myanmar. I understand the Obama administration supports the reform process of Myanmar and I am not sure Republican will consider a friendlier approach to the people of Myanmar."

My view:
 "Improved. The US economy is slightly better now and I have seen a great deal of effort in recovering from the sub-prime crisis."

Top priority:
 "Improve the image of America as a friendly ally."
  • Name: Myo Lwin
    Country:
    Myanmar
  • Occupation: Senior editor of the Myanmar Times
  • Age: 54
  • I would vote for: Romney
My vote: "Mitt Romney. As a multimillionaire business man, he understands economy better than Obama."

The election's impact:
"If the Republican like Mitt Romney becomes president, he will be dealing tougher with China, which can affect both US-China relations as well as Myanmar-China relations. It depends on how Myanmar will play between the US and China."

My view:
 "I have no idea."

Top priority:
 "Stability of the world economy."
  • Name: Win Oo
    Country:
    Myanmar
  • Occupation: Flower seller
  • Age: 16
  • I would vote for: Obama
My vote: "Barack Obama … he has a nice face but I don’t know him."

The election's impact:
 "I don’t think so… we have our own problems here and the US is so far away."

My view:
 "I don’t know much about US, but I heard they lifted sanctions against our country … so I hope now life will be easier for people and my mother can have a good job, so maybe I can go back to school again."

Top priority:
 "Make world peace and stop people from being hungry."
  • Name: Moe Cho
    Country:
    Myanmar
  • Occupation: Maid/Part-time student
  • Age: 18
  • I would vote for: Hillary Clinton
My vote: "Hillary Clinton – because she is beautiful and a strong woman and has visited my country Myanmar."

The election's impact:
 "I hope my country will have better relationships with America and the new president will help that."

My view:
 "I think the US is better now because they lifted sanctions on Myanmar and they will help us grow our country."

Top priority:
 "Make world peace and no more fighting."
 
ENDS
 
This article first appeared on the GlobalPost website on October 11, 2012: http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/myanmar/120925/us-election-what-if-myanmar-could-vote