Obama says Clinton to travel to Myanmar, meets Singh, Aquino, Razak

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• published: 30 Jul 2015
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1. US President Barack Obama and US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton walking into room 2. SOUNDBITE (English) Barack Obama, US President: "We remain concerned about Burma's closed political system, its treatment of minorities and holding of political prisoners and its relationship with North Korea. But we want to seize what could be an historic opportunity for progress and make it clear if Burma continues to travel down the road of Democratic reform, it can forge a new relationship with the United States of America. Last night, I spoke to Aung San Suu Kyi, directly and confirmed that she supports American engagement to move this process forward. So today I've asked Secretary Hillary Clinton to go to Burma, she will be the first American Secretary of State to travel to the country in over half a century and she will explore whether the United States can empower a positive transition in Burma and begin a new chapter between our countries. That possibility will depend upon the Burmese Government taking more concrete action, if Burma fails to move down the path of reform it will continue to face sanctions and isolation, but if it seizes this moment, then reconciliation can prevail and millions of people may get the chance to live with a greater measure of freedom, prosperity and dignity and that possibility is too important to ignore." 3. Mid of Obama and Clinton walking out of room 4. Obama and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh shaking hands after bilateral meeting 5. SOUNDBITE (English) Barack Obama, US President: "This is an opportunity to discuss how we can further deepen that relationship, also to discuss the topics of the East Asia summit, issues like maritime security, non-proliferation, disaster and humanitarian relief. So I just want to commend President Aquino for his leadership, for his reform efforts, and I think that a relationship that is already very strong can only become stronger as a consequence of our continued interaction, so its wonderful to see you again Mr President." 6. SOUNDBITE (English) Philippines President Benigno Aquino III "Thank you, Mr President for meeting so we can share our view points and thoughts on wide range of topics. Its true we have had one of the longest running relationships, based on our shared values, history and as we look forward in our turbulent times of ours to really further strengthen those relationships." 7. Obama and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak STORYLINE: President Barack Obama announced on Friday that he will send Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to Myanmar early next month, the first official in her position to visit the repressed country in more than 50 years. "We want to seize what could be an historic opportunity for progress and make it clear that if Burma continues to travel down the road of democratic reform, it can forge a new relationship with the United States of America," Obama said Friday during his diplomatic mission to southeast Asia. The announcement was the capstone to a day of diplomatic meetings on the sidelines of summits with Asian leaders from India, Malaysia and the Philippines. In deepening his engagement with Myanmar, also known as Burma, the president first sought assurances from democracy leader and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. She spent 15 years under house arrest by the nation's former military dictators but is now in talks with the new civilian government about reforming the country. The two spoke by phone on Thursday night while Obama was flying to Bali on Air Force One, a senior official said. The US imposed new sanctions on Myanmar but made clear it was open to better relations if the situation changed. Officials said Clinton would travel to Myanmar on 1 December. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/ae0fd7bb655cca8694baa59a7a5b9490 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork