Myanmar's reformist leader to pay visit to U.S.

PanARMENIAN.Net - Myanmar's reformist president is heading to the United States to tout his country's makeover and push for an end to sanctions, in the first U.S. visit by a leader of the former international pariah since 1966, AP reports.

Thein Sein leaves Myanmar on Monday, Sept 24, to attend the UN General Assembly.

His trip ushers in a new chapter of Myanmar-U.S. relations, capping a wave of economic and political reforms put in place since he became president last year following almost half a century of military rule.

The trip comes as opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi exits the American spotlight amid her first trip to the U.S. in 40 years. The Nobel Peace Prize winner met last week with President Barack Obama and received awards in Washington, New York and elsewhere.