While President Barak Hussein Obama has no plan for a bilateral meeting with Myanmar’s Prime Minister Thein Sein during the South East Asian Nationssummitt in Singapore, observers are expressing great interest in what might transpire when Obama meets with the 10 ASEAN members.

From AFP:

“The US has decided that its ASEAN policy will not be determined by its policy towards Myanmar,” Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo said, referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

“It’s a breakthrough because previous attempts at hosting a summit meeting were prevented because of the Myanmar issue.”

Yeo was speaking to reporters at annual meetings of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Singapore, culminating in a weekend summit of 21 APEC leaders including Obama.

After the APEC summit concludes on Sunday, ASEAN’s 10 leaders, including Myanmar Prime Minister Thein Sein, are scheduled to hold an unprecedented meeting with the US president.

I cannot help but remember the reception that President George W. Bush received at his last meeting with the G20. I expect this meeting will be very different.