Myanmar state TV says president to make 1st state visit to US in nearly 5 decades as ties warm
YANGON, Myanmar – Myanmar state television has announced that President Thein Sein will make a state visit to the United States in the near future, the first by a Myanmar head of state in 47 years.
It said Monday night that the visit comes at the invitation of President Barack Obama. No exact date was announced. Former Myanmar dictator Ne Win visited the White House in 1966.
The United States has been a prime mover in urging Thein Sein to introduce reforms after five decades of repressive military rule that ended when he became an elected head of state in 2011.
The U.S. applied sanctions against the previous military regime, but the Obama administration shifted its policy to engagement, gradually lifting most sanctions following reforms.
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