美国总统奥巴马宣布将派遣国务卿希拉里·克林顿于下月访问缅甸。这是美国的一项重大外交决策。
克林顿国务卿的出访将是50多年来首位美国国务卿对缅甸这个封闭国家的访问。奥巴马是在印度尼西亚的巴厘岛宣布这一决定的。他说，这是美国对缅甸政府“忽隐忽现的进步”所作出的回应。缅甸在3月份成立文职议会，结束了几十年的军政府统治。
奥巴马特别提到缅甸开放与反对派领导人昂山素季开展对话，释放政治犯以及放松政治环境。他说，“如果缅甸继续在民主改革的道路上迈进，那么缅甸就可以和美国建立起新的关系。”
奥巴马说，他早些时候与昂山素季通过电话，证实昂山素季支持美国与缅甸接触推动缅甸民主进程向前迈进。奥巴马表示，克林顿国务卿将在访问缅甸之际探寻美国能够在哪些方面为缅甸得政治改革、人权和全国和解提供支持。希拉里将于12月1-2日访问仰光和内比都。
但奥巴马警告说，尽管缅甸已取得了显著进展，但仍然需要深化改革才能与美国建立新的关系。他还提到对缅甸封闭的政治体系、少数民族待遇、关押政治犯以及与朝鲜的关系等问题。
奥巴马宣布希拉里访问缅甸是多年来美国对缅甸政策的重大变化。美国和其它西方国家几十年来一直因缅甸践踏人权和不实行民主改革而对其实施制裁。
In a major new diplomatic initiative, U.S. President Barack Obama says he will send Hillary Clinton to Burma next month, for the first visit to the isolated country by a U.S. secretary of state in more than 50 years.
Mr. Obama made the announcement on the Indonesian island of Bali, saying the U.S. is responding to what he called "flickers of progress" from the Burmese government, which is still heavily influenced by the military. He specifically mentioned steps taken to open a dialogue with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, the release of some political prisoners and the opening of the politcal environment.
Mr. Obama said he had spoken by phone with Aung San Suu Kyi for the first time earlier and confirmed that she supports American engagement "to move the process forward."
The president said that on her trip, Secretary Clinton will explore what the U.S. can do to support progress on political reform, human rights and national reconciliation.
Mr. Obama said the U.S. still has ongoing concerns about Burma's closed political system, its treatment of minorities, holding of political prisoners and relationship with North Korea. He said Burma will need to go further with reforms to have a new relationship with the U.S.