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Remarks Following a Meeting with President Thein Sein of Burma in Ran- Goon, Burma November 19, 2012

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Remarks Following a Meeting with President Thein Sein of Burma in Ran- Goon, Burma November 19, 2012 Administration of Barack Obama, 2012 / Nov. 19 We appreciate your support in bringing de- people. We’ve seen it in the resilience that has mocracy in Thailand back on track. I hope you pushed this Nation forward, most recently, in continue to do so as Thailand’s democracy still the face of devastating floods. faces many challenges ahead. And most of all, I think we all feel here to- In terms of economic relations, as the Presi- night the unique friendship between our peo- dent and I have discussed today, we will contin- ples. His Majesty once said that since he was ue to build on a strong foundations in expanding born in America, the United States is “half my our trade and investment to promote growth motherland.” And we are just as proud of all the and create jobs. The world is changing fast, and Thai Americans who enrich our country. In only through trust, partnership, can we ensure fact, I was mentioning to His Majesty that my peace and prosperity for both nations. friend, Ladda Tammy Duckworth, just became Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, for me the first Thai American woman ever to be elect- there is no better way to launch a celebration ed to our Congress, and she’s from my home of our 180th anniversary of relations in 2013 State of Illinois, so I’m especially proud of her. than with this Presidential visit today. May I in- Everything that I’ve felt—your dignity, vite all of you to join me in toast: To the good your resilience, your friendship, your health and success of President Barack Obama warmth—that is the foundation of our alli- and to the long-lasting friendship between the ance. It’s why you were the first Asian nation United States of America and the Kingdom of to reach out to America after we won our In- Thailand. dependence. It’s why in Asia, to this day, we Cheers. can say Thailand is our oldest friend. And we are extraordinarily proud of that friendship, [At this point, Prime Minister Yinglak offered a toast.] and we are especially pleased to see the excel- lent leadership that, Madam Prime Minister, President Obama. Well, good evening, ev- you are providing as you continue this coun- eryone. Madam Prime Minister, distinguished try’s path of democracy, freedom, and devel- guests, and ladies and gentlemen, my visit to opment. Thailand is far too brief, but even in my short So I want to propose a toast: To the friend- stay, I’ve already felt the extraordinary warmth ship between our peoples, to the strength of and kindness and hospitality of the people of our alliance, to the peace and prosperity that Thailand. Everyone knows that this is the Land we seek, and to Their Majesties the King and of Smiles, and I have felt it everywhere that the Queen. I’ve gone. Chai yo! I’ve also felt the dignity and strength of this country and its people: the tranquility and [President Obama offered a toast.] peace that I felt as I had the privilege of walk- ing around the sacred grounds of Wat Pho and NOTE: The President spoke at 8:13 p.m. at the gazing up at the Reclining Buddha; the com- Government House. In his remarks, he re- passion and wisdom that you felt in the pres- ferred to King Phumiphon Adunyadet and ence of His Majesty the King, who has devoted Queen Sirikit of Thailand; and U.S. Represen- his reign to the welfare and development of his tative-elect L. Tammy Duckworth. Remarks Following a Meeting With President Thein Sein of Burma in Ran- goon, Burma November 19, 2012 President Thein Sein. First of all, the entire in welcoming Your Excellency, Mr. Presi- people of Myanmar, including myself, join me dent—the first-ever visit of a U.S. President to 1803 Nov. 19 / Administration of Barack Obama, 2012 Myanmar. And it is in Myanmar—[inaudi- cials from the State Department which have ble]—our bilateral relationship. paved the way for promotion of our bilateral In fact, Myanmar established diplomatic re- relations and cooperation between our two lations with the United States since—in the countries. year 1947, a year before our—the year before I want to use the exact word used by the our independence. The United States was one President Obama. We will continue to move of the first countries to establish diplomatic re- forward. We will move forward. [Laughter] lations with Myanmar, and our countries have President Obama. Well, I just want to thank long history and have maintained friendly rela- the President for hosting us here today and the tions. incredible hospitality that everybody here has For the first 20 years, there were some diffi- shown us so far. And I’ll be very brief because I culties and obstacles in our bilateral relations. know that I’ll be giving a speech later and have But however, when President Obama took of- an opportunity to share my vision further with fice in the United States, and because of the vi- the people here. sions—a reengagement policy of the President, But I just want to share that we had a very as well as the efforts of the Secretary of State constructive conversation. I shared with Presi- and the contributions of the Ambassador—our dent Thein Sein our belief that the process of bilateral relations have been progressing reform that he is taking is one that will move steadily. And then, in this regard, I would like this country forward. The steps that he’s al- to reiterate our commitment to continue coop- ready taken for democratization, elections, the eration to strengthen our bilateral relations in release of prisoners of conscience, a commit- the years to come. ment to work with us on a human rights dia- In this regard, we would like to say here— logue all can unleash the incredible potential we would like to reiterate that based on mutual of this beautiful country. respect, understanding, and cooperation, we will move forward to further strengthen and And I shared with him the fact that I recog- promote our bilateral relations with the United nize that this is just the first steps on what will States. be a long journey. But we think that a process During our discussion, we also reached of democratic reform and economic reform agreements that—for development of democ- here in Myanmar that has been begun by the racy in Myanmar and for promoting of human President is one that can lead to incredible de- rights to be in—of international standard. We velopment opportunities here. And we are will continue to cooperate with the United committed to continuing to work very hard to States to—for the capacity buildings of our of- try to strengthen the bilateral relationship so ficials and for development of social—[inaudi- that we can promote progress that will be good ble]—in the area of social—[inaudible]—such not only for this country, but for the region and as education and health—public health care for the international community. services for the people of Myanmar. And the last point I would just make is, we In this regard, I would like to—we will re- appreciate this concrete cooperation that the double our efforts that the discussion—the dis- President has announced with respect to non- cussions that we had will bring benefit for the proliferation issues, including the IAEA addi- people of Myanmar and bring prosperity to our tional protocol, because I think we share an in- country. And in this regard, we will continue to terest in trying to curb the proliferation of work with—as partner with the United States. weapons of mass destruction. And that is obvi- Lastly, I would like to take this opportunity ously a significant security concern for the to express our sincere appreciation to Presi- United States, but also for the world. And so dent Obama’s visions and the support for, as we very much appreciate that step forward. well as the efforts of—excellent efforts of Sec- So, Mr. President, thank you for your hospi- retary Clinton, as well as the responsible offi- tality. I look forward to not only a good visit to- 1804 Administration of Barack Obama, 2012 / Nov. 19 day, but hopefully, another visit sometime in dent Thein Sein referred to U.S. Ambassador the future. to Burma Derek J. Mitchell. President Thein Sein spoke in Burmese, and his remarks were NOTE: The President spoke at 11:12 a.m. at translated by an interpreter. the Parliament Building. In his remarks, Presi- Remarks at the Residence of Member of Parliament and National League for Democracy Party Leader Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma in Rangoon November 19, 2012 Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi. I would like to say so many difficult years, is where she displayed how happy I am to receive President Obama in such unbreakable courage and determination. my country and in my house. The friendship It’s here where she showed that human free- between our two countries is of long standing. dom and dignity cannot be denied. The United States has been staunch in its sup- Today marks the next step in a new chapter port of the democracy movement in Burma, between the United States and Burma. Last and we are confident that this support will con- year, in response to early flickers of reform, I tinue through the difficult years that lie ahead.
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