ARAKAN INDOBHASA

Narinjara

Yangon: A major Arakanese political party, the Rakhine Nationalities Development Party, or RNDP, welcomes the visit of the US Secretary of State to Burma in hope of a progressing relationship between the US and Burma.

U Pe Than, a party spokesperson and representative from the people's parliament, told Narinjara of his party's support for the visit shortly after Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in Naypyidaw, the new capital of Burma, on Wednesday evening.

He said, "Our party welcomes her trip to Burma and the optimism of our party is good for her trip. It would take promoting relations between the two countries in a new area."

Clinton is expected to meet with top officials, opposition leaders, and parliamentary bodies from two parliament houses during her three-day visit in Burma.

"It is a very significant time for Burma because the world is interested in the changing of Burma. Within the period, top government official Mrs. Clinton came to Burma. It is a great chance to extend the new chapter for relations between the two countries. We hope she will urge the government forward on further political reform toward a genuine democratic country," he said.

Clinton is expected to meet with President Thein Sein today and press the government to expand political reform toward a genuine democracy.

Clinton will today visit the residence of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi for a meeting with the NLD leader. After the meeting, there is a joint press conference with Clinton and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi scheduled.

"Our party chairman, U Aye Maung, will also have a chance to meet with Clinton along with 30 representatives from the two parliamentary houses in Naypyidaw. If he is able, he will tell her about Arakan State," U Than Pe said.

Clinton is the first top US official to visit Burma in more than half a decade, since Burma was listed as one of the most isolated countries in the world after being governed by a military regime for more than 50 years.