Suu Kyi, Burma sees the "road to democracy"

Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi sees her land on the "road to democracy". At a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Suu Kyi at her home in Rangoon, Burma in Clinton's visit was "a historic moment for both countries." Both women, however, warned of further reforms that will not lift its sanctions, the U.S. initially.

Clinton was met on Thursday to a first, very personal meeting with Suu Kyi. The two women ate in the U.S. mission in Rangoon dinner together. On Friday, came the official visit to Suu Kyi's private house in Rangoon, which was the Nobel Peace Prize winner most of the past 20 years under house arrest. A year ago she had been released by the new leadership of the Southeast Asian country.

Suu Kyi greeted Clinton on her porch. The two women hugged each other warmly and kissed Clinton Suu Kyi on both cheeks. Clinton, who showed their admiration for the Nobel Peace Prize winner said openly that she had waited a long time to make the icon of the Burmese democracy movement. Many people in the United States were impressed by Suu Kyi's "fearlessness", their serenity and their "devotion to their country, the freedom and dignity of their fellow citizens."

"I am very sure that Burma will not turn back on the road to democracy, if we work together," said Suu Kyi, Clinton led by the garden of her run-down property on the shore of a lake. The U.S. Secretary of nodded and said she had seen in her three-day visit to Burma encouraging signs of "opening" of the country. Suu Kyi added, however, supported by the military government should do more. "But we hope that as we get there as soon as possible."

The second meeting with Suu Kyi was on the third and last day of the historic visit of U.S. Secretary of State in Burma. On Thursday, Clinton was the president Thein Sein met at his palace in the capital Naypyidaw, and he made a new beginning in bilateral relations in view, if Burma would continue his reforms.

Although Clinton was pleased with the recent reforms, the United States wants not lift its sanctions against Burma for the time being.