Myanmar's Suu Kyi begins landmark US visit

Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi will be honored in Washington this week and presented Congress's highest award, the latest milestone in her remarkable journey from political prisoner to globe-trotting stateswoman.

Updated on: Sep 17, 2012, 07:47:24 IST

AP | By HT Correspondent, Washington

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Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi will be honored in Washington this week and presented Congress's highest award, the latest milestone in her remarkable journey from political prisoner to globe-trotting stateswoman.

The Nobel Peace laureate starts a 17-day US tour on Monday that will include meetings at the State Department and, likely, the White House. She then goes to New York, the American Midwest and California. The trip comes as the Obama administration considers easing its remaining sanctions on the country also known as Burma.

Suu Kyi was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 2008 while under house arrest.

Since her release in late 2010, Suu Kyi has transitioned from dissident to parliamentarian as Myanmar has shifted from five decades of repressive military rule.

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