US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton held a final meeting with Suu Kyi as she wrapped up a landmark visit to Myanmar which saw the new civilian government pledge to forge ahead with political reforms and re-engage with the world community.
Hillary and Suu Kyi - the Nobel laureate who has come to symbolize the pro-democracy aspirations of Myanmar's people - held a private dinner on Thursday and met again on Friday at Suu Kyi's lakeside home, effectively her prison until she was released last November after years in detention.
"We are happy with the way in which the United States is engaging with us and it is through engagement that we hope to promote a process of democratization," said Suu Kyi, adding that Hillary’s visit was a "historical moment" for both countries.
The two women spoke together for about an hour and a half. They later stood on a verandah, holding hands as they spoke to reporters.
Hillary’s trip follows a decision by US President Barack Obama last month to open the door to expanded ties, saying he saw "flickers of progress" in a country until recently seen as a reclusive military dictatorship firmly aligned with China.
Suu Kyi said she welcomed more support for Myanmar including World Bank and International Monetary Fund assessment missions which she said would help the country figure out how to get its economy on track.
She also called on the military-backed government to do more to ensure the rule of law, which she said would prevent the arrest of more political prisoners.
She said she would work with the new government, the opposition and friendly countries including the United States and China for a better future for her country.
Hillary’s trip - the first by a senior US official in more than 50 years - represents an opportunity for both Myanmar and the United States, and both appear eager to press ahead with rapprochement.
Myanmar's new leadership hopes the United States will eventually see its way clear to ease or remove sanctions, a step which could open the resource-rich but desperately poor country to more foreign trade and investment and help it catch up to booming neighbors such as Thailand and India.
Myanmar`s Suu Kyi praises US engagement For Washington, improved ties with Myanmar could underscore Obama's determination to up US engagement in Asia and balance China's fast-growing economic, military and political influence.
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