Myanmar's president appeals for economy help
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Myanmar's President Thein Sein speaks at the Asia Society in New York Sept 27, 2012. Mr Thein Sein, in New York for the 67th United Nations General Assembly, discussed a wide range of geopolitical issues in a speech and a question and answer session. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
NEW YORK (AFP) - Myanmar's President Thein Sein said on Thursday that a strong economy will be vital to the success of democratic reforms, as he appealed for international investment and expertise.
On his first trip to the United States (US) since taking power last year and initiating fast-moving reforms, Mr Thein Sein outlined a vision of a prosperous and pluralistic Myanmar.
However, he suggested that stability and economic growth will be needed to safeguard the political changes.
"If we are able to do that... I don't think there will be any reversal in the political system," he said, when asked whether the democratisation process was irreversible.
