Photos: Obama makes historic trip to Myanmar
Long shunned because of a repressive military rule, a transition to democracy began in Myanmar last year after a nominally civilian government took office and started taking steps toward democracy. Barack Obama, who became the first sitting U.S. president to visit the country, said ties between the U.S. and Myanmar will grow stronger if the moves toward democracy continue
U.S. President Barack Obama (C) talks to New Zealand Prime Minister John Key as they arrive for the gala dinner together with other head of states participating in the 21st ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and East Asia summits in Phnom Penh November 19, 2012.DAMIR SAGOLJ/Reuters
U.S. President Barack Obama speaks at Yangon University in Yangon, Myanmar, Monday, Nov. 19, 2012. This is the first visit to Myanmar by a sitting U.S. president.Carolyn Kaster/The Associated Press
U.S. President Barack Obama, right, tours the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar, Monday, Nov. 19, 2012.Carolyn Kaster/The Associated Press
U.S. President Barack Obama, right, tours the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar, Monday, Nov. 19, 2012. This is the first visit to Myanmar by a sitting U.S. president.Carolyn Kaster/The Associated Press
U.S. President Barack Obama ‘douses eleven flames’ as he tours the Shwedagon Pagoda with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in Yangon, Myanmar, Monday, Nov. 19, 2012. This is the first visit to Myanmar by a sitting U.S. president.Carolyn Kaster/The Associated Press
U.S. President Barack Obama waves as he embraces Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi after addressing the media at her residence in Yangon, Myanmar, Monday, Nov. 19, 2012. Mr. Obama, who touched down Monday morning, became the first U.S. president to visit the Asian nation. He said his historic visit to Myanmar, also known as Burma, marks the next step in a new chapter between the two countries.Carolyn Kaster/The Associated Press
U.S. President Barack Obama talks to reporters during a news conference after meeting Myanmar's Opposition Leader Aung San Suu Kyi at her home in Yangon November 19, 2012.Soe Zeya Tun/Reuters
U.S. President Barack Obama (C) participates in a family photo of ASEAN leaders during the ASEAN Summit at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh November 19, 2012. With Mr. Obama are (L-R) Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen and Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.JASON REED/Reuters