Obama, Thein meet

U.S. President Barack Obama held talks with Myanmar President Thein Sein at the White House on Monday.

The two discussed ways that Myanmar, a relative newcomer to the world stage after years of military rule, could move forward in the democratic process.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAYING:

"...making sure that the government of Myanmar institutionalizes some of the political reforms that have already taken place, how rule of law is codified so that it continues into the future, and the process whereby these ethnic conflicts that have existed are resolved, not simply by a ceasefire but an actual incorporation of all these communities into the political process..'

The Myanmar President said through a translater, that while the tasks ahead for Myanmr are daunting, he is glad to have the support and understanding of the U.S. duirng this time.

Obama also pressed Thein to end ethnic violence in western Myanmer where monks and muslims have b