InfoAnda - Praise and pressure as Obama begins historic Myanmar visit |

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Springbok skipper Smit commends battling Wallabies | 9 August 2009
Britain is last major nation in recession | 26 November 2009
Paul McCartney engaged to marry Nancy Shevell | | 7 May 2011

British teenager detained over cyber hacking | | 23 June 2011

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Praise and pressure as Obama begins historic Myanmar visit |

Edition: U.S. Arabic Argentina Brazil Canada China France Germany India Italy Japan Latin America Mexico Russia Spain United Kingdom Home Business Business Home Economy Technology Media Small Business Legal Deals Earnings Social Pulse Business Video The Freeland File Aerospace & Defense Investing Simplified Markets Markets Home U.S. Markets European Markets Asian Markets Global Market Data Indices M&A Stocks Bonds Currencies Commodities Futures Funds peHUB Dividends World World Home U.S. Brazil China Euro Zone Japan Africa Mexico Russia India Insight World Video Reuters Investigates Decoder Politics Politics Home Election 2012 Campaign Polling Supreme Court Politics Video Tech Technology Home MediaFile Science Tech Video Tech Tonic Social Pulse Opinion Opinion Home Chrystia Freeland John Lloyd Felix Salmon Jack Shafer David Rohde Nader Mousavizadeh Lucy P. Marcus Nicholas Wapshott Bethany McLean Anatole Kaletsky Zachary Karabell Edward Hadas Hugo Dixon Ian Bremmer Lawrence Summers Susan Glasser The Great Debate Steven Brill Reihan Salam Frederick Kempe Christopher Papagianis Mark Leonard Breakingviews Equities Credit Private Equity M&A Macro & Markets Politics Breakingviews Video Money Money Home Tax Break Lipper Awards 2012 Global Investing MuniLand Unstructured Finance Linda Stern Mark Miller John Wasik James Saft Analyst Research Alerts Watchlist Portfolio Stock Screener Fund Screener Personal Finance Video Money Clip Investing 201 Life Health Sports Arts Faithworld Business Traveler Entertainment Oddly Enough Lifestyle Video Pictures Pictures Home Reuters Photographers Full Focus Video Reuters TV Reuters News Article Comments (6) Slideshow Video Pictures Surrealism of Sandy The altered landscape in the aftermath of Sandy. Slideshow Follow Reuters Facebook Twitter RSS YouTube Read Israel pounds Gaza as rocket fire wanes; talks in Egypt | 2:13am EST Praise and pressure as Obama begins historic Myanmar visit | 2:43am EST Denver mailman mistakes corpse for Halloween decoration 09 Nov 2012 Israeli air strike kills 11 civilians in Gaza: Hamas | 18 Nov 2012 Florida's West to fight defeat in U.S. House race 18 Nov 2012 Discussed 163 Top Hamas commander killed in Israeli airstrike 150 Egypt PM to visit Gaza in support of Hamas against Israel 150 Israel hammers Hamas in Gaza offensive Pictures Reuters Photojournalism Our day's top images, in-depth photo essays and offbeat slices of life. See the best of Reuters photography. See more | Photo caption Gaza conflict Conflict escalates in Gaza and Israel in the aftermath of an Israeli air strike which killed the Hamas military chief. Slideshow Facing eviction Families in Spain face the threat of eviction after failing to pay their mortgages. Slideshow Sponsored Links Praise and pressure as Obama begins historic Myanmar visit Tweet Share this Email Print Related News Myanmar frees political prisoners on day of historic Obama visit Sun, Nov 18 2012 Analysis & Opinion Making the most of diversity The economy needs a ‘unity Cabinet’ Related Topics World » Politics » United Nations » Myanmar » Related Video Factbox: U.S.-Myanmar trade ties 1:53am EST Obama arrives in Myanmar Obama’s historic trip to Myanmar stirs up controversy - Decoder Obama to push reforms in Myanmar Obama promotes Thai relations 1 of 25. U.S. President Barack Obama kisses opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi following their remarks to the media at her residence in Yangon November 19, 2012. Obama became the first serving U.S. president to visit Myanmar on Monday, trying during a whirlwind six-hour trip to strike a balance between praising the government's progress in shaking off military rule and pressing for more reform. Credit: Reuters/Jason Reed By Matt Spetalnick and Jeff Mason YANGON | Mon Nov 19, 2012 2:43am EST YANGON (Reuters) - Barack Obama became the first serving U.S. president to visit Myanmar on Monday, trying during a whirlwind six-hour trip to strike a balance between praising the government's progress in shaking off military rule and pressing for more reform. Obama's first stop was a meeting with President Thein Sein, a former junta member who has spearheaded reforms since taking office in March 2011. "I've shared with him the fact that I recognize this is just the first steps on what will be a long journey," Obama told reporters, with Thein Sein at his side. "But we think a process of democratic and economic reform here in Myanmar that has been begun by the president is one that can lead to incredible development opportunities," he said, using the country name preferred by the government and former junta, rather than Burma, normally used in the United States. Thein Sein, speaking in Burmese with an interpreter translating his remarks, responded that the two sides would move forward, "based on mutual trust, respect and understanding". "During our discussions, we also reached agreement for the development of democracy in Myanmar and for promotion of human rights to be aligned with international standards," he added. Tens of thousands of well-wishers, including children waving tiny American and Burmese flags, lined Obama's route to the old parliament in the former capital, Yangon, where he met Thein Sein. Some held signs saying "We love Obama". Approaching the building, crowds spilled into the street, getting close enough to touch Obama's vehicle. Obama moved on to meet fellow Nobel Peace Prize laureate and long-time opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who led the struggle against military rule and is now a lawmaker. On the way, Obama made a surprise stop at the landmark Shwedagon Pagoda, where the president, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and their entire entourage, secret service agents included, went barefoot up the giant stone staircase. As two monks guided Obama around, the security team fanned out, talking quietly into their radios. Obama's trek to Myanmar is meant to highlight what the White House has touted as a major foreign policy achievement -- its success in pushing the country's generals to enact changes that have unfolded with surprising speed over the past year. But some international human rights group object to the visit, saying Obama is rewarding the government of the former pariah state for a job they regard as incomplete. Speaking in Thailand on the eve of his visit, Obama denied he was going to offer his "endorsement" or that his trip was premature. "I don't think anybody is under the illusion that Burma's arrived, that they're where they need to be," Obama said. "On the other hand, if we waited to engage until they had achieved a perfect democracy, my suspicion is we'd be waiting an awful long time." Obama's Southeast Asian trip, less than two weeks after his re-election, is aimed at showing how serious he is about shifting the U.S. strategic focus eastwards as America winds down wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The so-called "Asia pivot" is also meant to counter China's rising influence. FREEING PRISONERS Aides said Obama was determined to "lock in" democratic changes already under way in Myanmar, but would also press for further action, including freeing remaining political prisoners and stronger efforts to curb ethnic and sectarian violence. A senior U.S. official said Obama would announce the resumption of U.S. aid programmes in Myanmar during his visit, anticipating assistance of $170 million in fiscal 2012 and 2013, but this, too, would be dependent on further reforms. "The president will be announcing that the United States is re-establishing a USAID mission in Burma, which has been suspended for many years," the official told reporters in Bangkok, declining to be named. The United States has softened sanctions and removed a ban on most imports from Myanmar in response to reforms already undertaken, but it has set conditions for the full normalization of relations, such as the release of all political detainees. Asked if sanctions could be lifted completely at this stage, a senior administration official insisted they could not. "All these things are reversible," he said. In a move clearly timed to show goodwill, the authorities in Myanmar began to release dozens of political prisoners on Monday, including Myint Aye, arguably the most prominent dissident left in its gulag. Some 66 prisoners will be freed, two-thirds of them dissidents, according to activists and prison officials. The government will also let the International Committee of the Red Cross resume prisoner visits, according to a statement late on Sunday, and the authorities plan to "devise a transparent mechanism to review remaining prisoner cases of concern by the end of December 2012". In a speech to be given at Yangon University to an audience that will include several high-profile former prisoners, Obama will stress the rule of law and allude to the need to amend a constitution that still gives a great role in politics to the military, including a quarter of the seats in parliament. "America may have the strongest military in the world, but it must submit to civilian control. As President and Commander-in-Chief, I cannot just impose my will on our Congress, even though sometimes I wish I could," he will say. He looks forward to a future "where national security is strengthened by a military that serves under civilians, and a constitution guarantees that only those who are elected by the people may govern". ETHNIC STRIFE Violence between majority Buddhists and the Rohingya Muslim minority in western Myanmar is a top concern, and Obama's aides said he would address the issue directly with Myanmar's leaders. Myanmar considers the Rohingya Muslims to be illegal immigrants from neighboring Bangladesh and does not recognize them as citizens. A Reuters investigation into the wave of sectarian assaults painted a picture of organized attacks against the Muslim community. At least 167 people were killed in two periods of violence in Rakhine state in June and October this year. Obama did not refer to this in the excerpt of his speech released to media ahead of delivery, but he will recall the sometimes violent history of the United States, its civil war and segregation, and say hatred could recede with time. "I stand before you today as president of the most powerful nation on earth, with a heritage that would have once denied me the right to vote. So I believe deeply that this country can transcend its differences, and that every human being within these borders is a part of your nation's story," he will say. Thein Sein, in a letter to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon last week, promised to tackle the root causes of the problem, the United Nations said. Despite human rights concerns, the White House sees Myanmar as a legacy-building success story of Obama's policy of seeking engagement with U.S. enemies, a strategy that has made little progress with countries such as Iran and North Korea. Obama's visit to Myanmar, sandwiched between stops in Thailand and Cambodia, also fits the administration's strategy of trying to lure China's neighbors out of Beijing's orbit. (Editing by Alan Raybould and Alex Richardson) World Politics United Nations Myanmar Tweet this Link this Share this Digg this Email Reprints We welcome comments that advance the story through relevant opinion, anecdotes, links and data. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can flag it to our editors by using the report abuse links. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of Reuters. For more information on our comment policy, see http://blogs.reuters.com/fulldisclosure/2010/09/27/toward-a-more-thoughtful-conversation-on-stories/ Comments (6) AZWarrior wrote: Edition: U.S. Arabic Argentina Brazil Canada China France Germany India Italy Japan Latin America Mexico Russia Spain United Kingdom Back to top Reuters.com Business Markets World Politics Technology Opinion Money Pictures Videos Site Index Legal Bankruptcy Law California Legal New York Legal Securities Law Support & Contact Support Corrections Connect with Reuters Twitter Facebook LinkedIn RSS Podcast Newsletters Mobile About Privacy Policy Terms of Use AdChoices Copyright Our Flagship financial information platform incorporating Reuters Insider An ultra-low latency infrastructure for electronic trading and data distribution A connected approach to governance, risk and compliance Our next generation legal research platform Our global tax workstation Thomsonreuters.com About Thomson Reuters Investor Relations Careers Contact Us Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests. NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.

Other News on Monday, 19 November 2012
Bomb rips through Nairobi minibus, killing six |
Syrian rebels eye Assad's economic lifeline in east |
Jordan protesters face charges over anti-monarch chants |
UK's Cameron hires rival's strategist to boost poll hopes |
Analysis: Hamas finds cause to smile under Israeli assault |
Iran defends normal procedures at Bushehr nuclear plant |
Austria's right-wing parties could form coalition |
Sudan's army clashes with rebels outside Darfur city: state media |
Israeli government websites under mass hacking attack |
Twilight sendoff starts with huge $341 million worldwide |
One Direction top British single and album charts |
Red carpet, choppers champagne greet Formula One in Texas |
Israel pounds Gaza as rocket fire wanes; talks in Egypt |
Praise and pressure as Obama begins historic Myanmar visit |
China's Xi warns of unrest if graft not tackled |
South Korean opposition far apart on presidential deal |
Colombia, FARC rebels seek to end long conflict |
Rivals dispute leadership of France's conservatives |
Syria rebels say seized military base near Turkey border |
Congo rebels advance to outskirts of Goma |
UK's Cameron pledges to lower hurdles to growth |
Army abuses a setback for Ivorian reconciliation: Human Rights Watch |
Cisco to buy cloud-networking start-up Meraki for $1.2 billion |
Bieber sweeps American Music Awards with big wins |
James Bond actor visits UK troops in Afghanistan |
Charlie Chaplin's bowler hat and cane fetch over $60,000 at auction |
Actor Crowe to sell stake in South Sydney league club |
Egypt PM says Gaza truce deal may be close |
Turkey says it will hold talks with Kurdish militants |
U.N. chief pushes for political dialogue in divided Yemen |
FARC declares ceasefire as peace talks start with Colombia |
Tensions flare over South China Sea at Asian summit |
Kinshasa rejects rebel peace talks call |
Obama presses Cambodia's Hun Sen to improve rights record |
Turkey to request Syria border missiles Monday: Germany |
Intel CEO Ottelini to step down in May |
Forget phoning a business, new app sends a text instead |
Uncle technology joins Assisi family of St Francis |
Metal singer Aaron Lewis finds second home in country music |
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01