Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Naypyidaw, Burma
May 18, 2018

ADMINISTRATOR GREEN: We had the chance to talk about important issues, obviously development issues, our bread and butter, but also ways that we can work towards confidence building of all the communities so that we can help with the safe, voluntary return of the Rohingya from Bangladesh, and create conditions that allow for that safe, voluntary return. It was a good discussion. It was frank and open, and we look forward to following up.

From my perspective, I learned a lot from her, and I look forward to reporting back to Secretary Pompeo as we think what the plan should be going forward, not just for Myanmar, but for the region.

QUESTION: Did she take any issues with the way USAID, you know, works on democracy as part of the solution to all this?

ADMINISTRATOR GREEN: No. She has a long history with USAID. I -- my old organization, IRI, has a long history. I told her about my experience as an election observer in 2015, that's what you heard as we were coming out. And what I said to her, very simple, I remember on election day the soaring aspirations, the bubbling emotion, and what we all want to do is to be able to get back to that aspiration, and to see it fulfilled.