Obama becomes first sitting president to visit Myanmar

(19 Nov 2012)
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1. Tracking shot of Air Force One plane, carrying US President Barack Obama, taxiing on tarmac at airport
2. Close-up of US flag on aircraft tail
3. Tracking shot of Obama and Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State, emerging from aircraft door, waving, walking down steps and being greeted by officials including Foreign Minister Wanna Maung Lwin
4. Mid of Obama being presented with flowers, shot zooms out to wide
5. Tracking shot of Obama and Clinton walking with Wanna Maung Lwin towards waiting vehicle, Obama waves
6. Pan across motorcade leaving
STORYLINE:
US President Barack Obama touched down in Myanmar on Monday for a landmark visit to the long-shunned nation.
Obama is expected to meet with the country's prime minister and democracy advocates, and close with a speech at the University of Yangon, where he will praise the country's progress toward democracy but urge further reforms.
He is the first US president to visit Myanmar, also known as Burma.
Obama's visit was to last just six hours, but it carries significant symbolism, reflecting a remarkable turnaround in the countries' relationship.
The American leader will meet in Myanmar with Prime Minister Thein Sein, who has orchestrated much of his country's recent reforms.
He will also meet with long-time democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi in the home where she spent years under house arrest.
Obama has rewarded Myanmar's rapid adoption of democratic reforms by lifting some economic penalties.
The president has appointed a permanent ambassador to the country, and pledged greater investment if the Asian nation continues to progress following a half-century of military rule.
Some human rights groups say Myanmar's government, which continues to hold hundreds of political prisoners and is struggling to contain ethnic violence, has not done enough to earn a personal visit from Obama.
The president said from Thailand on Sunday that his visit is not an endorsement of the government in Myanmar, but an acknowledgment that dramatic progress is underway and it deserves a global spotlight.
Obama's Asia tour also marks his formal return to the world stage after a bruising re-election campaign.
For his first post-election trip, he tellingly settled on Asia, a region he has deemed crucial to US prosperity and security.
Aides say Asia will factor heavily in Obama's second term as America seeks to expand its influence in an attempt to counter China.
China's rise is also at play in Myanmar, which long has aligned itself with Beijing.
But some in Myanmar fear that China is taking advantage of its wealth of natural resources, so the country is looking for other partners to help build its nascent economy.
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