Obama tells Myanmar: Remarkable journey has just begun
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US President Barack Obama puts his hands together after the conclusion of his speech at Yangon University’s Convocation Hall in Yangon, Myanmar on Monday, Nov 19, 2012. In a historic trip to a long shunned land, Obama on Monday showered praise and promises of more US help to Myanmar if the Asian nation keeps building its new democracy. -- PHOTO: AP
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US President Barack Obama walks out with Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi to address members of the media at Suu Kyi's residence in Yangon, Myanmar on Monday, Nov 19, 2012. Obama, who touched down Monday morning, becoming the first US president to visit the Asian nation also known as Burma, said his historic visit to Myanmar marks the next step in a new chapter between the two countries. -- PHOTO: AP
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US President Barack Obama (left) and Myanmar's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi shake hands during their meeting at her home in Yangon on Nov 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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US President Barack Obama and Myanmar's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi walk together during their meeting at her home in Yangon on Nov 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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US President Barack Obama and Myanmar's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi walk together during their meeting at her home in Yangon on Nov 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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US President Barack Obama (left), is greeted by Myanmar pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi at her residence in Yangon on Nov 19, 2012. Obama arrived in Myanmar for a historic visit aimed at encouraging a string of dramatic political reforms in the former pariah state. -- PHOTO: AFP
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US President Barack Obama speaks at the University of Yangon in Yangon on Nov 19, 2012. Huge crowds greeted Barack Obama in Myanmar on the first visit by a serving US president to the former pariah state to encourage a string of startling political reforms. -- PHOTO: AFP
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US President Barack Obama speaks at the University of Yangon in Yangon on Nov 19, 2012. Huge crowds greeted Barack Obama in Myanmar on the first visit by a serving US president to the former pariah state to encourage a string of startling political reforms. -- PHOTO: AFP
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US President Barack Obama speaks at Yangon University’s Convocation Hall in Yangon, Myanmar on Monday, Nov 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: AP
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US President Barack Obama looks at Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi speak at her residence in Yangon, Myanmar, Monday, Nov 19, 2012. Obama touched down Monday morning, becoming the first US president to visit the Asian nation. -- PHOTO: AP
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US President Barack Obama (right) waves as he embraces Myanmar democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi after addressing members of the media at Ms Suu Kyi's residence in Yangon, Myanmar, Monday, Nov 19, 2012. Mr Obama touched down on Monday morning, becoming the first US president to visit the Asian nation. --PHOTO: AP
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US President Barack Obama kisses Aung San Suu Kyi following joint remarks at her residence in Yangon on Nov 19, 2012. Mr Obama has pledged support for Myanmar's reforms, telling an audience of over 1,000 Myanmars in a historic address at Yangon University that "America will support you every step of the way". -- PHOTO: REUTERS
US President Barack Obama puts his hands together after the conclusion of his speech at Yangon University’s Convocation Hall in Yangon, Myanmar on Monday, Nov 19, 2012. In a historic trip to a long shunned land, Obama on Monday showered praise and promises of more US help to Myanmar if the Asian nation keeps building its new democracy. -- PHOTO: AP
US President Barack Obama walks out with Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi to address members of the media at Suu Kyi's residence in Yangon, Myanmar on Monday, Nov 19, 2012. Obama, who touched down Monday morning, becoming the first US president to visit the Asian nation also known as Burma, said his historic visit to Myanmar marks the next step in a new chapter between the two countries. -- PHOTO: AP
US President Barack Obama (left) and Myanmar's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi shake hands during their meeting at her home in Yangon on Nov 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
US President Barack Obama and Myanmar's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi walk together during their meeting at her home in Yangon on Nov 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
US President Barack Obama and Myanmar's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi walk together during their meeting at her home in Yangon on Nov 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
US President Barack Obama (left), is greeted by Myanmar pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi at her residence in Yangon on Nov 19, 2012. Obama arrived in Myanmar for a historic visit aimed at encouraging a string of dramatic political reforms in the former pariah state. -- PHOTO: AFP
US President Barack Obama speaks at the University of Yangon in Yangon on Nov 19, 2012. Huge crowds greeted Barack Obama in Myanmar on the first visit by a serving US president to the former pariah state to encourage a string of startling political reforms. -- PHOTO: AFP
US President Barack Obama speaks at the University of Yangon in Yangon on Nov 19, 2012. Huge crowds greeted Barack Obama in Myanmar on the first visit by a serving US president to the former pariah state to encourage a string of startling political reforms. -- PHOTO: AFP
US President Barack Obama speaks at Yangon University’s Convocation Hall in Yangon, Myanmar on Monday, Nov 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: AP
US President Barack Obama looks at Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi speak at her residence in Yangon, Myanmar, Monday, Nov 19, 2012. Obama touched down Monday morning, becoming the first US president to visit the Asian nation. -- PHOTO: AP
US President Barack Obama (right) waves as he embraces Myanmar democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi after addressing members of the media at Ms Suu Kyi's residence in Yangon, Myanmar, Monday, Nov 19, 2012. Mr Obama touched down on Monday morning, becoming the first US president to visit the Asian nation. --PHOTO: AP
US President Barack Obama kisses Aung San Suu Kyi following joint remarks at her residence in Yangon on Nov 19, 2012. Mr Obama has pledged support for Myanmar's reforms, telling an audience of over 1,000 Myanmars in a historic address at Yangon University that "America will support you every step of the way". -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Yangon - United States President Barack Obama has pledged support for Myanmar's reforms, telling an audience of over 1,000 Myanmars in a historic address at Yangon University that "America will support you every step of the way".
He also struck a note of caution, saying in a democracy the armed forces and the judiciary must submit to civilian rule and civilian leaders must be fully accountable to the law.
"This remarkable journey has just begun, and has much further to go. Reforms launched from the top of society must meet the aspirations of citizens who form its foundation. The flickers of progress that we have seen must not be extinguished," he said.
In the first visit to Myanmar ever by a sitting US President, Mr Obama was greeted in the morning by hundreds of Myanmar schoolchildren lining the streets on his route, waving American and Myanmar flags.
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