Topic: Thein Sein

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Obama and Myanmar (Burma): 4 points about conflict there

A long-simmering ethnic conflict in Myanmar (Burma) recently broke into American newspapers: At least 89 people have been killed and more than 35,000 displaced in what is being described (not entirely accurately) as Buddhist-Muslim violence. With President Obama as the first US head of state to visit this country, there are four points to bear in mind about this detour from Myanmar’s road to a more open society:
Six reasons this UN General Assembly is must-see TV

World leaders descend on New York for the annual United Nations gathering, starting Sept. 25. If the recent past is any guide, it can be a memorable, even explosive, occasion. Here are six moments to watch for, to brace for, this time.
Aung San Suu Kyi's historic moment: 5 things to know

Once possibly the world's best-known political prisoner, today Aung San Suu Kyi made the historic move to lawmaker, after a swearing-in ceremony at Myanmar's parliament in the capital of Naypyidaw. Here are five things about her.
Myanmar's about-face: 5 recent reforms

Since 1962, Myanmar's dictatorship has jailed the opposition, beat up monks, denied aid to disaster victims, and run scorched-earth campaigns against ethnic minorities. That may be changing, however. Here are five key changes the regime has made in just a matter of months.

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Burmese optimistic after historic White House visit

Burmese are celebrating an end to their long international isolation with the first state visit to the US by a Myanmar president in almost 50 years.
Myanmar's White House bow: well done, but not mission accomplished

Thein Sein on Monday became the first Burmese president to visit the US since 1968. His meeting with President Obama is part of an opening of Myanmar to US business, but there's much more to do, a human-rights activist says.
In Myanmar, a movement for Muslim and Buddhist tolerance

As Myanmar's head of state visits the US, the first such trip in more than 45 years, religious and ethnic violence are being slowly addressed back home.
Opinion: Obama must hold Myanmar's Thein Sein accountable for human rights violations

When President Obama meets with President Thein Sein of Myanmar (Burma) today, he should emphasize Washington’s commitment to Myanmar’s progress, while stressing the importance of preventing discrimination and violence against ethnic minority Muslims and Christians.
As cyclone bares down on Myanmar, thousands of Muslims refuse to relocate

The Myanmar government had planned to move some 38,000 internally displaced people, most of them Rohingya Muslims, who have complained of severe abuse at the hands of the Burmese Army.
US considers end to tariffs in Myanmar: Too soon?

Though the country has gone through a series of reforms, Human Rights Watch has recently thrown allegations of 'ethnic cleansing' at the government.
Backchannels Myanmar's ruler to get peace prize, despite 'ethnic cleansing' charge

On the same day that Myanmar's president is set to receive a peace award, Human Rights Watch accused his government of failing to stop ethnic cleansing carried out against ethnic Rohingya.
Terrorism & Security Myanmar fire kills 13 Muslim students, adding to Buddhist-Muslim tensions

Police are blaming the blaze in Yangon on an electrical short, but some of Myanmar's Muslims are suspicious following religious violence around the country.
A step toward democracy: Privately owned newspapers return to Myanmar

In Myanmar the state has monopolized the daily press since the 1960s, but on Monday, privately owned daily newspapers will hit the streets once again. The change is part of reform efforts by President Thein Sein.
Opinion: Myanmar's urgent human rights need: citizenship for 'the Roma of Asia'

Myanmar (Burma) has a long way to go on human rights. An issue that demands immediate attention is a crisis involving a sizable ethnic and religious group, the Rohingya – one of the most persecuted minorities in the world. This stateless people deserve citizenship and tolerance.
Obama's Myanmar speech sends message to North Korea (+video)

Barack Obama on Monday became the first US president to visit Myanmar, showing other Asian nations – such as North Korea – that America is willing to reach out to help reforms.
Obama and Myanmar (Burma): 4 points about conflict there

A long-simmering ethnic conflict in Myanmar (Burma) recently broke into American newspapers: At least 89 people have been killed and more than 35,000 displaced in what is being described (not entirely accurately) as Buddhist-Muslim violence. With President Obama as the first US head of state to visit this country, there are four points to bear in mind about this detour from Myanmar’s road to a more open society:
Obama's visit to Myanmar marks 'new chapter' in US-Myanmar relations

As Myanmar tiptoes toward democracy, Obama - the first US president to visit the former pariah state - denied he was endorsing the government amid criticism that his visit came too soon.
Obama to speak at symbolic university in Myanmar (+video)

On Monday, President Obama will give a speech at the University of Yangon in Myanmar. The school, once one of Asia's finest universities, has become a symbol of the country's uprising and ruined education system.
Opinion: Obama is right to visit Myanmar (Burma)

The apparent end of censorship has unleashed a veritable media gold rush in Myanmar (Burma). On his visit there, President Obama should encourage the country's wave of democratic reforms by highlighting the urgent need for free and open media to reach all parts of the country.
What Obama will accomplish with a visit to Myanmar

With the Myanmar visit, President Obama will showcase one of his foreign-policy accomplishments and will underscore a US commitment to supporting Asia’s political and economic development.
Obama to visit Myanmar: White House confirms Asia trip details (+video)

President Obama, newly re-elected, will visit Southeast Asia this month. His itinerary will include stops in Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar. His visit to Myanmar will be viewed as an endorsement of that country's recent transformation.
Exiled to Nowhere

Photographer Greg Constantine's images show the human face of the Rohingya, an ethnic minority who find themselves stranded, with no state to recognize them or protect their rights.
Myanmar's reformist president asks world to see his country in a new light

Speaking before the United Nations General Assembly, Myanmar President Thein Sein, whose reformist government has helped his country emerge from five decades of authoritarian rule, asked the international community for 'understanding and support.'
For the first time, Myanmar's president praises Aung San Suu Kyi (+video)

In a sign that five decades of authoritarian rule is coming to an end, Myanmar President Thein Sein paid unprecedented respect to opposition leader and democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi in a speech at the United Nations General Assembly.
Aung San Suu Kyi wants sanctions against Myanmar(Burma) lifted

The Burmese opposition leader, who's now a member of the country's Parliament, is urging an end to US sanctions against her impoverished nation.
Six reasons this UN General Assembly is must-see TV

World leaders descend on New York for the annual United Nations gathering, starting Sept. 25. If the recent past is any guide, it can be a memorable, even explosive, occasion. Here are six moments to watch for, to brace for, this time.
Opinion: Could Myanmar (Burma) have Southeast Asia's first 'green president'?

President Thein Sein still has a long way to go in assuring citizens, investors, and international donors that the country is on the right track, but with the right development assistance, Myanmar has the chance to succeed in sustainable development where many of its neighbors have failed.
Aung San Suu Kyi to meet with Obama

Myanmar democracy activist, Aung San Suu Kyi, one of the world's most prominent political prisoners of the past two decades, is scheduled to meet Wednesday with President Obama, and will be presented with a Congressional Gold Medal.
Prisoners released in Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi visits Washington

Myanmar pardoned more than 500 prisoners on Monday, the opposition party is hopeful the amnesty included the country's 424 remaining political prisoners, a step that could strengthen the former military state's growing bonds with Washington.