US President Obama hails Burma's 'remarkable journey'

Gerald · 11-19-12, 08:16 AM

Quote:

US President Obama: "The flickers of progress that we have seen must not be extinguished"

Quote:

Burma is on a "remarkable journey" of reform that has much further to go, Barack Obama said as he made the first visit to the South East Asian nation by a serving US president.

A desire for change had been met by an agenda of reform, he said, and he was there to extend a "hand of friendship".

But, in a speech at Rangoon University, he urged Burmese people to accept Muslim Rohingyas after recent violence.

Crowds of people, some waving US flags, lined the streets as he arrived.

The visit was intended to show support for the reforms put in place by Thein Sein's government since the end of military rule in November 2010.

Activists have warned that the visit may be too hasty - political prisoners remain behind bars and ethnic conflicts in border areas are unresolved.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20386066

Note: 19 November 2012 Last updated at 13:01 GMT

Platapus · 11-19-12, 06:33 PM

Might have been better to hold off until we see what happens in Myanmar before we start praising "change".

Gerald · 11-19-12, 07:07 PM

^Media blowing up stuff like this,

August · 11-19-12, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Platapus

Might have been better to hold off until we see what happens in Myanmar before we start praising "change".

I'm still waiting to see if they're going to get those buried Spitfires out of there.

TLAM Strike · 11-19-12, 09:04 PM

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Originally Posted by August

I'm still waiting to see if they're going to get those buried Spitfires out of there.

I doubt the Burmise will let those planes out of the country; they need them to modernize their own air force.

Oberon · 11-19-12, 10:24 PM

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Originally Posted by TLAM Strike

I doubt the Burmise will let those planes out of the country; they need them to modernize their own air force.

Hell no!

Our airforce needs modernizing more than theirs!

August · 11-19-12, 10:31 PM

Seriously Ob have you heard of any updates to the story over there? I'd surely love to see those birds fly again someday.

11-19-12, 06:33 PM	#2
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,361 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	Might have been better to hold off until we see what happens in Myanmar before we start praising "change". __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

11-19-12, 07:07 PM	#3
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	^Media blowing up stuff like this, __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

11-19-12, 10:31 PM	#7
August Wayfaring Stranger Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 23,197 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Seriously Ob have you heard of any updates to the story over there? I'd surely love to see those birds fly again someday. __________________ Flanked by life and the funeral pyre. Putting on a show for you to see.