Obama meets Suu Kyi, prods Burma on elections

RANGOON, Burma — President Obama and Burma's democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi called Friday for further moves toward democracy ahead of the country's presidential elections next year.

The two leaders criticized the army-dictated constitution that bars Suu Kyi, the leader of the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) — who was released four years ago after more than two decades of confinement — from running in that race.

The rule bars anyone with strong allegiances to a foreign national from running for the presidency. Suu Kyi's sons are British, as was her late husband.

"I don't understand a provision that would bar somebody from running for president because of who their children are," Obama said, with Suu Kyi by his side. "That doesn't make much sense to me."

Near the close of his two-day trip to Burma, also known as Myanmar, Obama noted progress in the country's democratic transition since his first visit two years ago, but warned that the reforms are by "no means complete or irreversible."

Obama has broadly embraced Burma's move away from a half-century of military rule, suspending U.S. sanctions and rewarding the country with high-level visits from American officials.

But Burma has stalled in fulfilling its promises of political and economic reforms, and in some cases has lost ground.

"We shouldn't deny that Burma today is not the same as Burma five years ago," Obama said. "But the process is still incomplete."

Suu Kyi agreed the transition process was going through "a bumpy patch," but called for a "healthy balance between optimism and pessimism."

The two leaders showed off a warm relationship, with hugs and humor. Obama told Suu Kyi the U.S. continues to look at her "for inspiration as well as resolve."

The pair discussed the need for the elections to be "free, fair and inclusive."

Obama has been pressing the leaders of Burma to amend the constitution, but has been careful to not directly endorse his fellow Nobel Peace Prize laureate as the country's next president.

"I've always said it's somewhat flattering to have a constitution written with me in mind," Suu Kyi joked. "But it shouldn't be done like that … it is against the principle of democracy."

She said the amendments are necessary "if this county is to be a truly functioning democracy in line with the will of the people.

"We need a culture of negotiated compromise as a foundation for our democratic union."

Obama also raised an issue that has led to criticism for the opposition icon — her reluctance to address the abuse of minority Rohingya Muslims, who are deeply disdained by most people in Burma.

"Discrimination against the Rohingya or any other religious minority I think does not express the kind of country that Burma over the long term wants to be," Obama said. "Ultimately that is destabilizing to a democracy."

Obama and Suu Kyi's interaction stood in contrast to Obama's more formal dealings with Burmese President Thein Sein, a former general.

Following talks with Sein Thursday in the capital, Nay Pyi Taw, Obama said the democratic process in Burma "is real."

"We recognize change is hard and you do not always move in a straight line, but I'm optimistic," he said.

At a town hall-style event with young South East Asian leaders, held at Yangon University, Obama attempted some Burmese sayings, winning cheers and applause.

"You're always popular in someone else's country," he joked. "We believe in this nation" and its democratic future, he told the mostly Burmese audience. Burmese should respect differences and understand the grievances of minorities, but still put national identity before ethnic identity, he said to applause.

Responding to a question on ethnic violence, Obama used the example of the U.S. civil rights movement to call on young people in Asia to foster a culture of tolerance, and to speak out in defense of diversity, especially when such views and values are unpopular.

Kyaw Myo Win, 19, an English student from Rakhine state, where many Rohingya live, said he was inspired by Obama's answer to his question.

"My dream is to have an environment in which all communities stand together, without problems and conflicts," he said. "There is no mutual understanding between Buddhists and Muslims. We who are not extremists need to stand up to get the message across."

Obama's first visit to Burma lasted just six hours. Two regional economic summits, held in the capital, stretched his second stay to 48 hours, before he departed Friday for Brisbane, Australia, where he will attend the G-20 Summit with other world leaders this weekend.

Contributing: The Associated Press