The United States said that Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin, who held talks in Washington last year after attending UN meetings in New York, would pay a more formal visit next month as part of US efforts to encourage reforms.
"We have invited the foreign minister to visit the United States in May. We are excited about that visit," said Kurt Campbell, the assistant secretary of state for East Asia and a main player in US diplomacy on Myanmar.
"What we are looking for is support of every element of reforms that have taken place and to encourage further steps, particularly in areas that are still dealing with violence -- ethnic minority areas along the borders," Campbell told reporters in New Delhi on Tuesday.
In a sign of growing confidence in Myanmar`s nascent reforms, Suu Kyi plans to visit Norway and Britain in June in her first travel overseas in 24 years -- most of which she spent under house arrest.
State Department spokesman Mark Toner welcomed Suu Kyi`s travel plans and noted that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, on a landmark visit to Myanmar in December, invited the pro-democracy leader to the United States.
"She certainly would always have an open invitation to carry on the dialogue that began when the secretary was in Burma," Toner said, referring to Myanmar by its former name.
Suu Kyi was elected to parliament on April 1 in by-elections that won wide praise around the world.
Norway said she would visit to accept in person the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize. Suu Kyi lived for years in Britain, the home of her late husband.
US lawmakers have invited Suu Kyi to visit to accept the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest US civilian award. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
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