Clinton: US will reward Burma for more reforms
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) and pro-democracy opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi talk prior to dinner at the US Chief of Mission Residence in Rangoon, Myanmar, December 1, 2011.
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is promising increased US ties with Burma in exchange for further reforms, the Associated Press reported.
Clinton said the US will further embrace Burma, also known as Myanmar, if the government releases all remaining political prisoners, ends violence against minorities and cuts military ties with North Korea.
State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said Clinton spoke by telephone Saturday with the both Burmese Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Nuland said Clinton told Foreign Minister Lwin "the United States is prepared to meet action with action" and they discussed the Secretary’s proposal to exchange ambassadors between our two countries.
The conversation comes a day after the US restored full diplomatic relations with Burma, and agreed to exchange ambassadors with Burma after the government released hundreds of political prisoners and signed a cease-fire with Karen rebels.
More from GlobalPost: Clinton: US, Burma will exchange ambassadors
Nuland also said Suu Kyi "noted her support for the US efforts to engage the government of Burma."
Clinton spoke with the opposition leader about the country's upcoming April 1 by-election, and the need to continue to work for national reconciliation.
More from GlobalPost: Burma's Aung San Suu Kyi will run for parliament (VIDEO)
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