President Thein Sein kicks off historic tour of United States
Will address UN General Assembly and meet US government officials
Myanmar President Thein Sein started his landmark US tour yesterday to attend the UN General Assembly in New York, according to Zaw Htay (Hmu Zaw), director of the President’s Office.
The president will address the General Assembly, and also meet US government officials, leaders and famous persons from around the world to talk about the country’s progress in reforms during his visit, he wrote on his Facebook page.
The visit will end on October 1.
Thein Sein attended the UN General Assembly in 2009 when he was serving as prime minister during the rule of the State Peace and Development Council.
At that time, he was only allowed to visit areas near the UN Headquarters as the US had imposed a visa ban on top government officials of Myanmar.
However, the US administration in recognition of Myanmar’s democracy efforts, lifted the ban last month.
Also, the US Department of the Treasury removed him and Lower House Speaker Thura U Shwe Mann from a list of individuals who are blocked from doing business or owning assets in the United States.
UN chief backs Suu Kyi, Thein Sein
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Friday that he had great expectations and hoped that Aung San Suu Kyi will lead the path of reconciliation and greater participatory democracy and development of her country, together with Thein Sein.
He was speaking at a joint media encounter with the Nobel laureate and pro-democracy leader at UN Headquarters in New York.
“In that regard, I pay my great tribute to President Thein Sein and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi,” Ban said. “They have been walking together down the path of reconciliation and political stability and democracy and human rights, and I really count on her continuing support.”
He was highlighting the role played by Suu Kyi in Myanmar’s reforms and reconciliation efforts.
Ban and Suu Kyi had held a meeting before addressing the media, at which they discussed a range of issues, including how the United Nations could help with further democratisation in Myanmar.
Last May, Ban met Suu Kyi at her home in Yangon and invited her to visit the UN Headquarters.
He hailed her as a “global symbol of human rights” and highlighted how she now serves not only as chairperson of the National League for Democracy, but also as a member of the Myanmar Parliament, and the chairperson of the Committee of the Rule of Law and Stability.
Suu Kyi met Ban during her significant 17-day trip to the United States.
She will return home on October 3.
