(Corrects 2nd paragraph reference to half a century)
PHNOM PENH, Nov 7 (Reuters) - Newly re-elected U.S.
President Barack Obama will go to Cambodia on Nov. 18 to attend
an Asian summit, a Cambodian minister said on Wednesday, adding
to speculation he may use the opportunity to visit nearby
Myanmar.
Myanmar is opening up after almost half a century of
military rule and the United States suspended sanctions on the
country earlier this year in recognition of the changes under
way.
In November 2011 Hillary Clinton became the first U.S.
secretary of state to visit in more than 50 years.
Many U.S. companies are looking at starting operations in
the country, located between China and India, with abundant
resources and low-cost labour.
Officials in Myanmar, also known as Burma, have not
confirmed an Obama visit.
Cambodian Information Minister Khieu Kanharith said he did
not know how long Obama would be in his country.
"We will have Obama and also (Russian President Vladimir)
Putin and leaders from China and Japan," he told reporters.
The annual summit of the 10-country Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN) is usually extended to take in meetings
with leaders of partner countries. Preliminary details for this
year show the event will run from Nov. 15 to 20.
Local media have said Obama may visit Thailand, like Myanmar
an ASEAN member, while he is in Asia, but that could not be
confirmed.
(Reporting by Prak Chan Thul; Editing by Alan Raybould and
Jonathan Thatcher)