Barack Obama hails 'next step' with Burma

"The most difficult time in any transition is when we think that success
is in sight," she said at her lakeside home alongside Mr Obama. "We
have to be very careful that we're not lured by the mirage of success."

Later, Mr Obama, used a speech to urge an end to sectarian unrest in the
western state of Rakhine, saying there was "no excuse for violence against
innocent people".

"National reconciliation will take time, but for the sake of our common
humanity, and for the sake of this country's future, it is necessary to stop
the incitement and to stop violence," he added.

Thousands of people lined the streets of Rangoon for a glimpse of Mr Obama's
motorcade as he headed to the parliament building for a meeting between the
President and his Burmese counterpart Thein Sein.

^{U.S. President Barack Obama tours the Shwedagon Pagoda with Secretary of
State Hillary Rodham Clinton in Rangoon (AP)}

Among the crowd were hundreds of students wearing matching school uniforms of
white shirts and dark green sarongs. Many of those gathered on the streets
waved American flags and some held up homemade signs reading "Welcome
Obama."

"No authority asked us to welcome President Obama. I am here to support
President Obama and also to see him," said Soe Nyunt, a 27-year-old
labourer who waited for Obama before going to work.

^{President Barack Obama and Burma's President Thein Sein hold a meeting
at the regional parliament building in Rangoon (AFP/Getty Images)}

Meanwhile dozens of political prisoners were free as Mr Obama visited,
according to an activist.

Soe Tun, a leader of the 88 Generation student movement, said 44 political
prisoners were released on Monday.

Source: agencies

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2012/11/19/barack-obama-hails-next-step-with-burma/