British PM on historic Myanmar visit - Daily Nation

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YANGON, Friday

British Prime Minister David Cameron on Friday held talks with Myanmar's reformist regime and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi as he became the first Western leader to visit the country in decades.

The landmark trip comes as world powers consider ending economic sanctions against the former pariah state following recent elections which gave Nobel Peace Prize winner Suu Kyi her first-ever seat in parliament.

President Thein Sein, an ex-general who heads the country's new quasi-civilian government, hailed a "historic" moment as he welcomed Cameron to his official residence in the showpiece capital Naypyidaw.

"We are very pleased and encouraged by your acknowledgement of Myanmar's efforts to promote democracy and human rights," he said.

After about 40 minutes of talks, followed by lunch, with Thein Sein, Cameron flew to the former capital Yangon and met Suu Kyi at the lakeside home where she spent much of the past 22 years locked up at the hands of the former junta.

The activist holds huge influence in the US and Europe, particularly London, and a move on sanctions would almost certainly need her support.

Britain — Myanmar's former colonial ruler — has traditionally taken a hardline stance on sanctions against the Asian nation because of human rights concerns, but has recently shown signs of softening its position. (AFP)

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