Washington: Myanmar President Thein Sein is set to become the first leader of his country to visit the White House in nearly half a century, in one of the most symbolic US gestures yet to support his reforms.
In a scene that would have been unimaginable just a few years ago, the former general will meet with President Barack Obama on Monday and later seek to woo US businesses that see a lucrative market in the former Western pariah nation.
Critics say that Obama's invitation was premature and takes pressure off Myanmar to address still-alarming abuses such as recent anti-Muslim violence to which security forces allegedly turned a blind eye.