President Barrack Obama became the first U.S. President to visit Myanmar, previously known as Burma, where he delivered a national speech along side opposition party leader and activist San Suu Kyi on Monday.
Upon his arrival to the nation's capital Yangon, President Thein Sein greeted the President on this historical trip to a State was made to be a pariah by the international community.
President Obama told reporters, "I shared with President Thein Sein our belief that the process of reform that he is taking is one that will move this country forward...I recognize that this is just the first steps on what will be a long journey, but we think that a process of democratic reform and economic reform here in Myanmar ... can lead to incredible development opportunities here," as reported by Reuters.
At the University of Yangon, President Obama said "The flickers of progress that we have seen must not be extinguished," praising the progress of the government, "This remarkable journey has just begun...The United States of America is with you," as reported by the Associated Press.
President Obama gave special applause to San Suu Kyi by paying a personal visit along with his Secretary of State of Hilary Clinton.
Obama was received with much excitement by the people of Myanmar, some held banners stating "You are our hero," according to the Associated Press. President Sein told Obama "You gave us hope," as reported by Reuters. Sein became president in March 2011.
President Obama will end his tour by visiting Cambodia on Tuesday.
