Hillary begins this chapter by revisiting a speech she delivered in 2009 to the U.N. General Assembly (UNGA) on Burma signaling her determination to pursue renewed relations with that long-spurned country based on reforms.
Video: Secretary Clinton’s Remarks on Engagement with Burma
September 24, 2009 by still4hill |
Early on she clarifies that while the generals preferred the name Myanmar, she, in Hard Choices, would refer to the country as Burma. Except where State Department communiqués opted to use Myanmar, I have remained consistent with her choice – not a hard one – of Burma.
Those who contend that she never chose or pursued a signature issue or agenda as secretary of state (and then grudgingly admit that issues confronting women and girls was, OK, sort of a signature issue but a ‘soft’ one) would do well to remember this initiative very early in her tenure. The Pacific was the region to which the administration had pivoted, and Hillary chose to seek engagement with a country she hoped would eventually be able to lead its neighbors by example. Not a soft choice at all. A hard one. (But have it your way, chauvinistic burgher kings of foreign policy.)
A State Department memo warned traveling staff that three colors were to be avoided in Burma. One was white. Hillary states that these cultural issues are often addressed in memos prior to travel. She had a new white jacket that was exactly the right weight for the climate and hesitated, brought it along anyway, and upon landing the entire traveling party discovered that the memo had been inaccurate so she wore it when she first met Aung Sang Suu Kyi. As it turned out they were dressed exactly alike. Even the hair was the same. This first meeting took place at the chief U.S. diplomat’s residence in Rangoon.
I think this meeting warmed a lot of hearts.
This link has images from her visit to the new capital Nay Pyi Taw where President Thein Sein asked her for guidance in democratic governance and told her they had been watching The West Wing for background. You can also see her visit to the beautiful Shwedagon Pagoda here.
Pics from Burma: Hillary Meets Aung Sang Suu Kyi … and more!
December 1, 2011 by still4hill |
At this meeting and press availability on December 2, 2011 Hillary visited Suu Kyi’s home which had also been her prison. She brought gifts – a stack of books and a toy for the doggie. The woman who calls herself a ‘dog owner’ on Twitter is actually a doggie mom and knew how much the company of Suu Kyi’s dog’s must have meant to her during her long isolation. It was adorably thoughtful. Like Hillary and her staff, I, over the past weekend, watched the film The Lady. There in the movie, sure enough, was a sweet, faithful little dog.
Hillary & Aung San Suu Kyi: Remarks and Pics Day 2
December 2, 2011 by still4hill |
Suu Kyi, finally free to travel came to the U.S. in September 2012 and received the Congressional Gold Medal.
Hillary Clinton at the Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
September 19, 2012 by still4hill |
That month, Hillary moved on to her final UNGA session as secretary of state and met twice there with President Thein Sein.
Hillary Clinton With Burmese President Thein Sein
September 26, 2012 by still4hill |
Hillary Clinton With Burmese President Thein Sein
September 27, 2012 by still4hill |
In November 2012, Hillary accompanied President Obama on a visit to Burma.
Secretary Clinton and President Obama in Myanmar
November 19, 2012 by still4hill |
… and on the ‘OTR’ visit to the Shwedagon Pagoda!
Hillary ends this chapter with both Suu Kyi’s and her own cautions about being too optimistic too quickly. That is excellent advice. One must always remain vigilant. She does not mention this, but I shall. As she began, with Burma as a target on her ‘smart power’ agenda, so she ended. Just a few weeks before leaving the State Department, she issued this.
Hillary Clinton: U.S. – Burma to Exchange Ambassadors
January 13, 2012 by still4hill |
To me, this looks like a success that we should, as she warns, recognize with restraint, but a victory for her State Department nonetheless. There are bumps in the road ahead, to be sure, but those who say she accomplished little to nothing would do well to assess her diplomatic waltz with Burma. A door has opened. We have walked in thanks to Hillary and her hard-working staff.
Well done, Mme. Secretary!
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Hillary Clinton’s ‘Hard Choices’ Retrospective: Introduction
Access other chapters of this retrospective here >>>>
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