Myanmar’s democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi arrived in Washington on Tuesday on a 17-day whirlwind tour of the United States, her first visit to the country after being released from house arrest in 2010.
The Nobel Peace laureate will be presented with Congress’ highest award — the Congressional Gold Medal — during her visit that comes as the Obama administration considers easing remaining sanctions on Myanmar
Suu Kyi is scheduled to meet top American leaders including, the Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton in Washington tomorrow and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in New York later in the week.
“She’s been a very strong voice for continued ties between our country for education, for reform, all those kinds of things. The Secretary (of State) takes counsel with her whenever she can, and I think they’ll have another opportunity for that tomorrow,” the State Department spokesperson, Victoria Nuland, told reporters at her daily news conference.
“The changes and reform steps that we’ve seen in Burma (Myanmar) in the last year are qualitatively and quantitatively broader and deeper than we had seen at any time before, with the allowing of Suu Kyi’s party to run, with release of prisoners, with the outreach to all of the minority groups,” she said.
During the Washington-leg of her trip Aung San Suu Kyi is expected to meet a host of US lawmakers, who are also hoisting a private reception for her in addition to presenting her with the Congressional Gold Medal award on Wednesday.
After four-day stay in Washington, Aung San Suu Kyi would travel to New York on September 21 where she is expected to meet the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon.
She would receive the Global Citizen Award from the Atlantic Council in New York on September 21.
