Local Burmese react to Obama trip to Myanmar

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - President Obama is the first sitting American president to visit the country of Myanmar. The visit is part of a three-day tour through Southeast Asia and is the first trip since Obama was re-elected earlier this month.

The President landed in Myanmar Sunday night local time. Myanmar is eleven-and-a-half hours ahead of the eastern time zone in the U.S.

Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, has spent the last two years overhauling the country.  So far, the country has released political prisoners, legalized trade unions and protests, and have had an easing of censorship.

"[Myanmar President Oo Thein] Sein is taking steps that move us in a better direction," Obama said in Thailand.  The first stop on his Southeast Asia visit.  "You have Aung San Suu Kyi now an elected member of Parliament.  You've seen political prisoners released.  There is an articulated commitment to further political reform.  But I don't think anybody is under an illusion that Burma has arrived."

Suu Kyi visited Fort Wayne in September as part of a 17-day tour of the United States.

Signs have been placed in Myanmar to welcome in Obama.  His visit has made headlines in the country and in Indiana throughout the Burmese population.

"A lot of them are analyzing what could happen in the economic transition, and the political transition," Minn Myint Nan Tin, the executive director at the Fort Wayne Burmese Advocacy Center.  "The United States plays a very important role in Burma."

According to the advocacy's leader, an estimated 4,000 to 6,000 Burmese live in the Fort Wayne area.  It's one of the highest concentrations in the country.

President Obama plans to highlights Myanmar's progress so far, but also said he would let the country know if it is slipping.  Obama hopes the country will continue to reform. 

"We still have civil war," Myint Nan Tin said, who agreed more work still needs to be done.  "If we really want to see peace, we must stop the civil war."

After his visit to Myanmar, Obama will visit Cambodia and join the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).