Clinton Presses Myanmar On Reform
BLITZER: It was an historic moment. They earlier have spoken by phone, but today, they met face to face. The Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hand delivering a letter from President Obama to Myanmar's opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, but Clinton also had a message of her own. CNN's Jill Dougherty is traveling with the secretary.</s>JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN FOREIGN AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, Secretary Clinton had dinner tonight with Aung San Suu Kyi, the democracy advocate, asking for some pointers on getting back into the public fray.</s>DOUGHERTY (voice-over): Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met living proof that something is changing in Myanmar. Aung San Suu Kyi, icon of the country's democracy movement, held in detention by the military dictatorship for almost two decades, freed a year ago, is now candidate for political office.</s>HILLARY CLINTON, SECRETARY OF STATE: It is also encouraging that --</s>DOUGHERTY: Just hours before they met for dinner, Clinton called that fact encouraging, but cautioned --</s>CLINTON: But that, too, will not be sufficient unless all political parties can open offices throughout the country and compete in free, fair and credible elections.</s>DOUGHERTY: The State Department released a letter to Suu Kyi from President Obama, thanking her for inspiring people around the world and pledging the U.S. will stand by you now and always. Earlier in the day in the capital, Clinton met the man responsible for the first steps toward political and economic reform. Myanmar's president, a former general. She delivered a second letter from Mr. Obama saying he looks forward to hearing the tangible outcomes of Clinton's discussions. Myanmar's government has freed 200 political prisoners, but Clinton says there are 1,000 more. Restrictions on the media have been eased, but not stopped. Ethnic violence continues and Clinton wants Myanmar to do more including serving military ties the North Korea. A senior State Department official says in her meeting she was told it's the Myanmar government's policy to cut ties with North Korea, but the U.S. is not sure that mandate is being followed by all officials. For the U.S., that's a no go. (on camera): The U.S. is taking steps to reward Myanmar for progress toward reform, but Secretary Clinton made it clear ending sanctions is not yet in the cards. (voice-over): At the 2500-year-old pagoda, Hillary Clinton marveled at the glistening gold and statues of the Buddha. She says she sees progress in Myanmar, but flickers she says can die out or be stamped out. Much more reform will have to happen, she says, to turn this solitary visit into a lasting partnership.</s>DOUGHERTY: There is one thing Aung San Suu Kyi says she misses about those tough times under house arrest, the ability and the time to read more -- Wolf.</s>BLITZER: Jill Dougherty on the scene for us. Thank you. History as I said unfolding. Meanwhile, an American aid worker kidnapped. The new leader of al Qaeda says his group, his terror group is responsible. New information coming in. Also, the abortion controversy swirling around the new iPhone and one of my more unusual interviews coming up this hour. I'll go one-on-one right in THE SITUATION ROOM with Kermit, the frog. And you look good by the way.