Obama to travel to Burma next week

Newly re-elected President Obama resumes personal diplomacy next week with a planned Asia trip that includes the first-ever visit by a U.S. president to Burma.

The short trip to Burma -- also known as Myanmar -- is designed to encourage the nation's tentative steps toward democracy.

Obama will also travel to Thailand and Cambodia, which is hosting an Asian economic conference.

White House press secretary Jay Carney made the formal announcement:

"The President will travel to Bangkok, Thailand; Rangoon, Burma and Phnom Penh, Cambodia from November 17-20.

"In Thailand, he will meet with Prime Minister Yingluck to mark 180 years of diplomatic relations and reaffirm the strength of our alliance. In Burma, the President will meet with President Thein Sein and Aung San Suu Kyi and speak to civil society to encourage Burma's ongoing democratic transition.

"In Cambodia, the President will attend the East Asia Summit and meet with the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. During his interactions in the region he will discuss a broad range of issues including economic prosperity and job creation through increased trade and partnerships, energy and security cooperation, human rights, shared values and other issues of regional and global concern."

The Associated Press reports the story, citing an unnamed Burma official:

"It would be the first-ever visit to Myanmar by an American president. ...

"Obama's administration has sought to encourage the recent democratic progress under Thein Sein by easing sanctions applied against its previous military regime.

"Officials in nearby Thailand and Cambodia have already announced plans for visits by Obama that same week. Cambodia is hosting a summit meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and Thailand is a long-time close U.S. ally."