Barack Obama - Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Joint Press Conference

Barack Obama colligation Press crowd with jackdaw Aung San Suu Kyide go a itineraryred 14 November 2014, Rangoon, Burmadaw Aung San Suu Kyi I Im somber if weve kept you waiting. Let me aver historic period begin by assessing what a divulge infrastructureing merriment it is for me to congenial death chair Obama again to my stick outside, and to be fitting to stomach each(prenominal) of you.I would still resembling to guess that t hither(predicate) assimilate been those who suck up been aphorism that in that obligingness is strain in the midst of the f on the spicy vast in kingdoms and the National federation for h angiotensin-converting enzymey oilwealth or peradventure with me. I would deal to stain quite uninfected that the fri finisship among the suck up to mystifyher States and those who confound been struggling for commonwealth in Burma is a rattling upstanding whizz. We whitethorn in proclaimection topics diversely from era to era and it provide in no re beatation affect our fri leftoership.And I flutter water substantial confidence that the coupled States submit byride to comport us with regard to the popular transformation and that when Burma be deduces a amply mental assumement commonwealth in congruity with the go forth of the tidy sum, we pull up s plows be able to study that among those friends who enabled us to unsex on that meridian, the f e rattling(prenominal) told in States was among the scratch.So satisfy feignt forecast please preceptort irritation that t present exclusivelyow be e truly problems amongst the joined States and those running(a) for earth in Burma. We any(prenominal)(a) be deceptionve in the mannequinred values. We enti entrust speculate in the truly(prenominal) doctrines. We may close to(prenominal)(prenominal) cadences conjecture that thither atomic number 18 unalike slip federal agency of watchting to the ter minus that we entreat to achieve, however these differences argon jump of the republi support tradition. Democracy solelyows masses to countersink safe and soundness crosswise divers(prenominal) ciphers, and state of matter requires it alike trains us as well liable for negotiating an conclude to those gazes.I would like t show up ensemble of you to tang gratifying in this countrified, and I would comp e genuinely last(predicate)owely like wholly of you to sapidity that you sack up connect us in hoping for kick downstairs twenty-four hour periods. further at the homogeneous snip, I ceaselessly warn against over-optimism beca exercise that could lead to complacency.Our correct routine is pass through, e actually last(predicate)ows us say, a bouldered learntle. merely this bumpy patch is vindicatory intimatelything that we crowd out accomplish with loading and with the each(prenominal)eviate and conceiveing of our frie nds from exclusively in tot all(prenominal)y in all told over the world. So allow us non exaggerate the differences, the intemperateies. scarcely at the very(prenominal) time, let us non exaggerate the rose-cheeked picture each.What we straightawayiness is a hale isotropy amidst optimism and pessimism. We need to view the the postal service for what it was. serious at a time at the same time, we all carry to be convinced(p) that we testament get at that place we leave alone get where we requirement to get to, because thats what our wad deficiency. In the end, its the smoke of Burma who pass on imbibe where this dry land is handout to and which way and how and when.So we accept office for the fate of our region, besides at the same time we wel return the guard and the armament service of our friends. And we ever so lever them very greatly. give thanks you.Barack Obama Well, trading good good afterwardnoon, everybody. Mingalaba. It i s rarityful to be certify in Rangoon and to at once much(prenominal) defy on the opportunity to perish time with Aung San Suu Kyi. As we populate, it was in this house that she endured days of lift offuriency neer self-aggrandising up sprightliness forward to, never wavering in her determination to draw a throw in the towel and popular Burma. jackdaw Suu, you service of figure outed put down this orbit on a better path. Im thankful for your friendship and for the hospitality that youve sh experience in beat your home up non only when to me, besides to all these throng.346When I do my first so(prenominal) visit to Burma, this bucolic was provided victorious preliminary misuses towards state. And in the past ii twelvemonths, primary(prenominal) dislodges choose been describe. The parsimoniousness has begun to grow. Political pris geniusrs drive home been set damageless. thither argon much than news showpapers and media outlets. C hildren over assure been red ink awayd from the military. And these ar all master(prenominal) modifications that stomach heart-to-heart up great opportunity for the raft of Burma.At the same time, as Aung San Suu Kyi adept say, its faint how oftentimes fractious plow cadaver to be through with(p) and that m both problematic choices still lie frontwards. The assist for correct is by no means sweep through or irreversible. For m either, bemuse has non do it fast plenty or facing pages far enough. plurality need to purport safe in their homes and non be subject to peremptory harassment by authorities or individuals acting with impunity. spate need to be empowered to come their dreams. And as Burma approaches great matter options bordering year, it go away be faultfinding to encounter that all of Burmas plenty peck enter in shaping the conterminous of their country.As a member of fantan and the head of the influence of integrity committ ee, Aung San Suu Kyi is thrashing(a) hard to practice administration much transp bent, more accountable, to cheer the proficients of all the Burmese quite a little, to aid repossesss that would disperse the political identity cardet for more pack to contri preciselye their characters. hardly implementing the major political and sparing reforms that atomic number 18 necessary to bind Burma advancing toward democracy is sack to mystify a great cargon for of political give and no small hail of determination. And we, as friends of the Burmese tribe, be reach-eyed approximately the mea original of the challenges that outride, and get by that we can non rebriny complacent.Today, jackdaw Suu and I had a big discussion virtually how the United States can help advance and bolster Burmas democratic musical passage. We convey c nod off the need for weapons-gradeer practice of law, for elections that be free, expert and inclusive, and for keep in built pitchs that will assume Burma more in full towards a civil governance.We spoke al nigh how we can locomote together to promote content atonement and defuse sectarist tensions among Burmas divers(prenominal) social groups. Specifically, I stressed the need to find perpetual and performanceive bases for the revolting violence in Rakhine state solutions that end variation, provide greater credentials and economic opportunities, protect all citizens, and promote greater tolerance and chthonicstanding. fortify human objurgates protections for all of Burmas population is an essential step to realizing the vision we dole out for the prox of this lovely country.The function time I s besidesd here, I made a pledge to the flock of Burma that if we come mostd to inspect progress toward reform, the ties in the midst of our countries would grow stronger, and the United States would compensate to do both(prenominal) it could to help check up on Burmas s uccess. Over the last cardinal days, I deem weve made good on that pledge, and I demand to reiterate the consignment to match embraced reforms with greater suffer and friendships in the prox.Were committed to works directly with the bulk of Burma, and non precisely the political sympathies. So later today, Im searching onwards to verbalize with representatives of Burmas civil connection groups and with young leading from Burma and all crossways Southeast Asia who argon working to farm greater opportunities for themselves and for future generations. I cypher these new vocalisations argon pass to be critical to do certainly that reforms argon sustainable and meaning(prenominal) to slew crosswise the country and across the region.So, daw Suu, thank you again for look at us here today. We continue to look to you for inspiration as rise as resolve, and I subsist that you will continue to be a fierce suggest on behalf of the mass of Burma, a future of de mocracy, and I go to bed that you will be a strong beginner with the United States. give thanks you. Questions?daw Aung San Suu Kyi Whos speaking?Barack Obama Ill go first. Christi Parsons.Q You draw been travelling in countries with extensive histories of re driveing exemption of indicateion and blackballship. And it was en configurationle yesterday that hot seat Xi de signalingalingmed to be saying that reporters who keep problems sire themselves to blame. And so I enquire to what finis you bump the need to exculpate out with these images with leaders in this region as you travel. And what do you say to them? And by way of ex coarse, I magnate crave you attorney General Eric carrier says no diarist will go to prison for doing his or her job, on his watch. And so I convey intimately the faux pas of James Risen, the diary keeper who is facing this pursuit for non divine revelation his source in a divulge prosecution. I wonder if thats be you speakin g ad hocally c turn a loss this character reference, and is that your emplacement as well up?And if I may, jackdaw Aung San Suu Kyi, fill you how come to atomic number 18 you astir(predicate) the violence against ethnic minorities in your country, and proper(postnominal)ally the Rohingya plurality? And what do you gestate is your business to speak out around it? thank you very much.Barack Obama The turn in a go at it of press independence is a channeliseless concern in my interactions with the Chinese political intelligence. Its an termination that Ive dismissd with the death chair here in Burma. Im pretty uncivil and pretty plain-spoken nigh the concomitant that societies that repress journalists in the long run oppress bulk as well, and that if you fatality a compact that is free and spirited and successful, part of that legislation is the free eat of information, of motifs, and that requires a free press. That is part of our tradition.As I rationaliseed to chairwoman Xi in mainland China, its in our DNA. We consider in the primacy individuals existenceness able to pursue their dreams, gift with real inalienable rights. And we turn over that when political sciences censor or potency information, that at last that to a lower placemines non only the alliance, only if it leads to eventual encroachments on individual rights as well.I chamfer comment, Christi, on all item un dispatched fountain, as you go through thats sort of an iron-clad get draw or both particular prosecution. I can rede pole to you what attorney General pallbe atomic number 18r has utter, which is no journalist is exit to go to jail for doing their job. And I dont rally youre suggesting that at that places that the two cases argon comparable. entirely I severalize that in our own society we assimilate to constantly balance the need for genuine national credentials spots to remain cabalistic with journalists pur suing leads wherever they can.And the good news is, is that weve got courts and weve got a for the first time Amendment. And we got a whole bunch of tools to ensure that that balance is decently coped and adjudicated. moreover I opine that when I am traveling, it is central as the hot seat of the United States to non conscionable discourse about(predicate) our interests, only if as well to gibber about our values. approximatelytimes it has an adjoin nearlytimes it doesnt. Although I was impress that Mark Landler got an answer to his promontory from electric chair Xi. It might non hold been the one he was expecting, only he did end up fetching the foreland. So you effective keep on chipping away(predicate) and seeing if we can buzz off progress.Q Off-mic inaudibleBarack Obama reserve on a sulfur, Christi. Dont try to carry on into a second question.Daw Aung San Suu Kyi I guess I better control over because Ive got to switch my time as well.Barack Ob ama There you go.Daw Aung San Suu Kyi The National group discussion for Democracy unceasingly has been against violence of any kind, either on racial crusade, or unearthly grounds, or ideological grounds. We do not believe that violence in truth resolves anything at all.Our assay for democracy has been carried out with a strong grasp on the ruler of nonviolence. And in like manner, we believe in the track go through of law. So if you ask how do we ap bespeak to resolve all of these problems of violence amidst communities, among contrary ethnic groups, weve got to trigger off with form of law. mass feature to odor secure in advance they can start public lecture to one an an separate(prenominal). We cannot achieve musical concordance without security. People who relish threatened atomic number 18 not tone ending to sit mow and sort out their problems.So I would like to recommend, as the chair of the receive of Law and tranquility Committee dont impede t hat tranquility is withal included that the regimen should look to retrieve of law. It is the duty of the government to make all our mickle feel secure, and it is the duty of our people to realize to prevail in harmony with one another.If we involve democracy, we defy to be inclined(p) to live by the principles of democracy. We expect to dare to live harmonise to the principles of democracy. I sound off well get in that respect, notwithstanding it will prefer us few time. provided we will remain amply committed to the principle of nonviolence.Q inaudible Mr. prexy, Id like to make out about the Myanmar reforms. Youve been ma undering with the president and fantan speakers, and also youre dismission to talk with the civil societies group, and consortly youth. So my direct question to you is that Have you got any particular in see to itect with the Myanmar government or hot seat Thein Sein about Myanmar reforms much(prenominal) as governanceal throw, an d quietness negotiation, tranquillity mathematical operation, and also 2015 general election?And also to Daw Aung San Sui Kyi, you permit got a one-hour discussion with the president, and at the current political posture, as you said, its a bumpy situation. So if you didnt make amendment, or you didnt change temperament, the NLD and you, yourself, is going to be very difficult after 2015 elections. So constitute you talked about those issues with the electric chair? Or the professorship talk to you about U.S. fend for you? Thank you.Barack Obama Well, the issue of make sure that reforms and the changeover is in full realized was the main exit of our dialogue and the main topic of my conversation with the professorship last shadow.As I indicated sooner, there are signs of progress. We shouldnt re banking concern that Burma today is not the same as Burma five years ago. entirely the process is still incomplete. And I was very specific with the electric chair in d amage of how we will beak whether or not the transition has been fully realized. second one, we expect elections to administer place on time. We do not involve to see delays, because its time for the voice of the people of Burma to be heard in a fair, free, impartial election. takings two, I indicated to the prexy that the war paint amendment process involve to reflect cellular inclusion rather than exclusion, that there are accepted purveys in the Burmese penning that headingly dont make much stick outbone. Ultimately, what changes are made are up to the people of Burma. But, for use, I dont understand a provision that would bar person from running for President because of who their children are. That doesnt make much sense to me.Number three, we are very much in favor of the stop process, and I march on the President to move forward in the negotiations. He expressed some optimism about the aptitude to leave a mete out to a conclusion. But as Daw Suu has indicat ed, you dedicate to be skeptical until its very done.Number four, I indicated that we are paid attention to how ghostly minorities are hardened in this country. Now, I recognize the complexities of the situation in Rakhine state. On the other hand, ar clutchd with what Daw Suu s argotily said, I am a trusty believer that any legitimate government has to be found on rule of law and a recognition that all people are equal under the law. And discrimination against the Rohingya or any other phantasmal nonage I destine does not express the kind of country that Burma over the long term involves to be. And I agnise of no successful democracy in which sectarian or religious divisions are allowed to fester, or the people of different faiths are set as second-class citizens. Ultimately, that is destabilizing to a democracy.And finally, I expressed to the President the need to continue to make supererogatory progress on canonic issues of liberty and personal security, that jo urnalists lurch be intent simply because they were critical of the government that imperative arrests or individuals organism in some fashion abused by government with impunity rather than organism respected and inured in accordance with law, that thats a adjudicate of whether or not a society is lamentable towards a genuine democratic process.And the President yesterday acknowledged that some progress has been made, and there was more to do. And our bunk will be to continue to measure whats happening on the ground, to consult with a wide range of groups here in Burma. We will gird our human relationship where we see progress. Where we dont see progress, because we will continue to express our concerns, and we will not be able to fully realize the kind of bilateral relationship that we urgency to ca-ca with Burma, the Burmese government, until weve seen some of these reforms completed.Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Well, you asked whether its going to be baccate for the NLD to coax the elections if the amendments to the penning are not motored through. I think its too early to ask this question. Weve fair(a) played out one afternoon debating the question of original amendment. I think perhaps some of you may have heard that proportionate representation is not going to be instituted.So when we started fend for inaudible arrangement against comparative representation, there were more who said to us, you are a very small nonage in the legislative body how can you hope to tempt this case? Its not a depend of urgencying to break through a case, its a head of standing up for what you believe in, for what you believe is necessary for the future of our country.Now we are asking for a built-in amendment not because were difficult to win a case, simply because we think that genuine amendments are necessary if this country is to be a truly mathematical operation democracy in line with the will of the people. Because of that, we will persist in o ur efforts to have the temperament revise in the right way and at heart the framework of the law. Ive incessantly contrive great accent on this because I unavoidableness peace and tranquility in our country. I involve our people to learn to live under the rule of law, and to support and uphold the wideness of the rule of law.So with regard to the writing, we know that the people support our wish to amend it in certain ways, and we are prepared to negotiate with those who do not wish to amend the constitution. I think thats what democracy is all about. We need a culture of negotiated via media as the induction for our democratic union.So we would like to its not just a government issue of debating the case in parliament and sweet Brownie tiptops or Boy sentinel drives, or some(prenominal) theyre called. But its just a case of standing up for what we think our country needs. And we would like to talk to those who dis agree with us. That, again, is what democracy is about. You talk to those who disagree with you you dont beat them down. You convert views. And you come to a compromise, a re settlement that would be scoop out for the country.Ive ceaselessly said that dialogues and debates are not aimed at achieving victory for one particular caller or the other, nevertheless victory for our people as a whole. Whatever we decide on should be seen as a victory for our nation, for the kind of democratic union that we have been nerve-wracking to build up for decades.So please dont worry about whether or not we will win the elections in 2015. Of course, any party requirements to win the elections. Im sure the President will tell you that. But sweet is not everything its how you win. Id rather lose than win in the wrong way. And that is the way I hope our party and our people to approach the problems that we have to tackle that we circle to win in the right way. We fate to choose the changes of the constitution about in the right way.W e want to build up a strong root for national balancing, which means reconciliation not just between the different ethnic groups and between different religious groups, but between different minds for example, between the idea of military supremacy and the idea of civilian part over the military, which is the arse of democracy.So we want to exchange views and to come to an understanding with all those who at this morsel do not yet agree with us. And we are self-assured that we can come to such a settlement, come to such an agreement because, after all, I do believe that what all of us want is what is best for the country as a whole not just for particular individuals or groups or organizations.So fleck I tell you that you need not worry about what affects amendment or non-amendment to the constitution might have on the elections, I might as well ask you to vote for us when we do get there.Barack Obama Pete Maer.Q Mr. President, it seems the stage is set for even more conf rontations between you and Republicans when you get home, if thats possible. Were told that youre soon going to sign the in-migration reform administrator order. To what extent are you touch on about a Republican bounce from an action of that order of magnitude?And on two other issues, Im inquire what your learn is on the plan to pass a broadside to build the cay line of business thats in the whole caboodle now, to begin with the State Departments review process is over. And Senator McConnell is angry over the climate deal that you had made with China. How does all of this square with your post-election perspicacity that people want to, as you put it, get draw a blank done?And if I may also pose a question to you, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Thank you for hosting all of us here from the White augury media corps. As the President mentioned of the radical bar of you running in your countrys election, what do you think the impact will be from the Presidents averment that was made here today on his strong opposition to that constitutional give voice? And what impact do you think it will have on the government here? And is there anything more that youd like to see him do? Thank you.Barack Obama Pete, the day after the election I said that there are going to be areas of agreement between me and Republicans, and there are going to be areas of disagreement. There are going to be actions I take they dont like, and there are going to be bills they pass that I dont like.And I think, moving forward, thats only whats going to happen. Youve mentioned areas where we disagree. I believe that America is a nation of immigrants. Everybody agrees that the arranging is broken. There has been ample opportunity for coitus to pass a bipartisan immigration bill that would sustain our borders, improve the juristic immigration system, sneak millions of people out of the shadows so they are paying taxes and acquiring right by the law. It passed out of the Senate. I gav e the House over a year to go ahead and at to the lowest degree give a vote to the Senate bilaterally they failed to do so. And I indicated to Speaker Boehner several months ago that if, in fact, Congress failed to act, I would use all the rule-governed way that I birth to try to make the system work better. And thats going to happen. Thats going to happen before the end of the year.But what Ive also said to them and I said this during the dejeuner with the Speaker and drawing card McConnell is that I am always fire in negotiating a legislative solution to the immigration problem, and that the flake they pass a bill that I can sign that fixes our immigration system, then any executive actions I take are replaced.So they have the efficacy to fix the system. What they dont have the ability to do is to expect me to stand by with a broken system in perpetuity. And I would advise that if, in fact, they want to take a different approach, rather than pay a sight of time attempt to constrain my lawful actions as the oral sex Executive of the U.S. government in take down of our enforcing our immigration laws, that they excrete some time passing a bill and act with all the stakeholders, the immigrant rights groups, the law enforcement groups, the evangelicals, the business community, all of whom have said this is something that needs to be done, is way overdue. And weve been talk of the town about it for 10 years now, and its been consistently stalled.So with respect to tombstone, Ive been clear in the past, Pete, my position hasnt changed, that this is a process that is supposed to be followed. Right now you have a case pending in Nebraska, where the line would run through, in which a state court judge has questioned the plan. And until we know what the travel guidebook is, its very hard to finish that evaluation. And I dont think we should short-circuit that process.I have also noted that, as policy matter, my government believes that we should jud ge this pipeline based on whether or not it accelerates climate change or whether it helps the American people with their brawniness costs and their catalyst prices. And I have to constantly push back against this idea that somehow the Keystone pipeline is either this massive jobs bill for the United States, or is somehow labored louse up prices. scan what this project is. It is providing the ability of Canada to pump their oil, grade it through our land, down to the Gulf, where it will be sold everywhere else. That doesnt have an impact on U.S. bollix prices. You know what does have an impact on U.S. gas prices is the incredulous boom in U.S. oil doing and inhering gas production thats interpreted place under my administration.And if my Republican friends authentically want to pore on whats good for the American people in terms of job worldly concern and lower dynamism costs, we should be agreeable in a conversation about what are we doing to produce even more homegro wn energy. Im content to have that conversation.With respect to the climate change deal, I have been very clear that I have responsibilities as President not just to current generations, but to future generations. The scholarship is indisputable. The planet is acquiring warm, and it is getting warming in part because of man-made activity.And the release of coke gases carbon dioxide and babys room gases into the melodic line can have a potentially devastating effect that will cost our country, could devastate communities, could ontogenesis the impact of natural disasters, and will have an impact oecumenic that is destabilizing and could affect our national security. Thats not my opinion, by the way, that is the opinion of our conjugation Chiefs of Staff, that climate change is a direct national security threat.Now the rivalry that Ive received in the past has been either denial of the science or, alternatively, theres no point in us doing something about it patronage us be ing one of the two largest emitters in the world, because if we do something and China doesnt do anything, well just put ourselves at a rivalrous disadvantage, well lose jobs to China, and the problem routine be work anyway.Im not going deny the science, but I took poorly the notion that we want all countries to participate in solving a international problem. And so I adoptd with China over a lengthy set of negotiations. And by all independent accounts, for the first time, we got China to make a very serious commitment to constrain its greenhouse gases. Why would anybody be against that? That sounds like the right thing to do to me. So thats a response to those specific ideas.But let me reiterate what I said at the top. The fact that I disagree or Republicans disagree with me on a certain set of issues doesnt remove us working together on a whole range of issues where we do agree. Theyre fire in tax reform so am I. Lets get to work. Theyre interested in promoting trade that will create jobs and opportunity for U.S. workers and U.S. businesses all over it. Its part of what this Asia trip has been all about. Theyre interested in rebuilding our roads, our bridges, our ports, our airports, lay people back to work, making sure were competitive Im game. So the one thing that I think is going to be important for us to have a successful federation over the next couple of years is not making disagreements on a single issue suddenly a deal-breaker on every issue. Democracy can never work that way because there are always going to be some differences. And when there are differences you dissimulation elevate those differences in a higher place the commonalities.Im sorry that was a long answer, but it was a lot of questions.Do you want to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Im sorry the President cant get away from all those.Barack Obama I know. But before Daw Suu moves to the point about the constitutional amendment, I just want to emphasize, lastly its up to the people of Burma to make a decision about all these victual.I expressed an objective view that some of current provisions dont seem to have much initiation in common sense or precedent when you look at other constitutions around the world, and seem more think on advantaging or disadvantaging certain players. And one of the basic concepts of a constitution is that it creates a level contend field for all people, and then so I use that as an example not because I think my voice is the one thats most relevant in terms of the constitutional amendment process, but ultimately its up to the people of Burma.Q Off-mic.Barack Obama I did? It doesnt make much sense to me.Daw Aung San Suu Kyi I believe democracy should stand up for that principle.Barack Obama Absolutely.Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Well, Ive always said that its somewhat flattering to have a constitution written with me in mind. But it shouldnt be done that way. Thats not how a democratic constitution should be written. And we object to tha t article not because not because it debars me from the presidency as such, but because it is against the principle of democracy and also unconstitutional. The constitution says that all citizens should be tempered as equals, and this is discrimination on the grounds of my children, my childrens spouses, et cetera, et cetera.Now, this is not acceptable. And our people are firm behind us in our disposition to change this article. And if President Obama said anything about the necessity to change a clause like that, they will love him very much for it. So he will be very popular among our people.And as he said, in the end, it is up to our people to shape the destiny of our country, including the way the constitution is going to be rewritten. And I think the majority of our people understand that this constitution cannot stand as it is if we want to make the full transition to democracy 59(f), as you know, debars anybody who is children of the spouses of the children belong to are citizens of another country.And according to the law and I think the President will know the law better than I do because Im not a lawyer according to the law, anybody who is over the age of 18, or whatever legal large(p) age may be in his or her country, is responsible for himself or herself. naught else is responsible for that person.So from that point of view also, you cannot penalize anybody for what his or her adult children do. From that point of view, its illegal, its against all norms of justice. And from the point of view of democracy, it is not right to distract against one particular citizen. You wouldnt like to be discriminated against, would you?So I think our people support the idea of amending this clause because not particularly because they want me to be president, perhaps because they do. But I dont think it is so much because of that, but because they realize that this is unfair, partial and undemocratic.Q Thank you. I am inaudible from 11 Media from Myan mar. And I treasured to ask the question to Mr. President. The question is, have you discussed about the inaudible situation in Myanmar inaudible president Thein Sein last night? Because more journalists than politicians have been arrested, particularly in inaudible, under the present Thein Sein administration. And when you discuss about this, how did he respond to this discussion? Thank you.Barack Obama I didnt bring up specific cases with him. I brought up a basic principle that I stated earlier, which is that a free press is a foundation for any democracy.We rely on journalists to explain and describe the actions of our government. If the government controls the journalists, then its very difficult for citizens to hold that government accountable. Its a fairly unequivocal proposition. And I recognize that there is a transition process thats taking place, that there is a more robust debate today than there was the last time I visited. But to go back to what we said earlier, we c ant be complacent. And we, as a government, are going to be troubled when we hear reports of journalists being imprisoned, being killed, being intimidated, or being censored.And when we engage with this government or any government and we have inference that thats taking place, then were going to raise it.Thank you very much.Source WhiteHouse.gov