Burma receives praise from Obama during his trip to South East Asia

America's President Barack Obama has stated that Burma is on a 'remarkable journey'

11:52 19 November 2012

President Barack Obama has made the first visit to Burma as a serving American leader, and his take on the nation is positive as he pointed out the progress Burma has recently made.

The newly re-elected US President received a warm welcome by a throng of people who gathered in the streets to witness his arrival in Burma. His schedule included a meeting with Thein Sein, the leader of the government.

Mr Obama’s trip to South East Asia incorporated a stop-off at Rangoon, where he even held a speech at Rangoon University before a crowd of people including students.

It is understood that Mr. Obama referred to Burma’s economical state and also America’s interest to help the country.

The US President said of Burma: “But this remarkable journey has just begun, and has much further to go.”

Also during his trip to Rangoon, Mr. Obama paid a visit to the Shwedagon Pagoda. He was accompanied there by Hillary Clinton, America’s Secretary of State, who visited the nation a year earlier.

It is understood that some political prisoners have been released in the wake of Thein Sein’s government coming to power, and also that censorship has been slackened.

Based on reports, some rights groups oppose the release of the prisoners, with many individuals preferring political prisoners to remain in prison.

Thein Sein rose to success in 2010 and since has helped Burma through its reform process.