U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's historic visit to Myanmar has given its people hope
Newspapers in the capital Yangon printed photos of Clinton with pro-democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi.
Residents hope that the visit means economic sanctions imposed by the U.S. for human rights abuses could come to an end.
SOUNDBITE) (Burmese) YANGON RESIDENT, U HLA SHAIN, SAYING:
"I think when economic sanctions are lifted, foreign investment will come soon after. At the same time the Myanmar government is trying to stabilise the Myanmar currency rate. If so, our people will get better jobs."
Clinton's trip, the first by the a senior U.S. official in more than 50 years, came with promises to improve ties, including support for development loans from international lenders.
(SOUNDBITE) (Burmese) NEWSPAPER SELLER, DAW KHIN NYO, SAYING:
"We are very happy that Hillary Clinton came to our country. I hope our country will get better than what it is now after her visit."
Years under a harsh military dictatorship have left resource-rich Myanmar well behind industrial giants like Thailand.
But the recent release of Suu Kyi from almost 20 years of house arrest and freer elections could pave the way for new political direction -- and in turn the lifting of sanctions.
Jessica Gray, Reuters
