Burma's president leaves Monday for a U.S. visit at the same time that opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi is touring the United States.

Thein Sein will address the United Nations General Assembly and highlight the reforms taking place in his long-isolated nation.

The former general hopes to persuade Washington to lift sanctions against Burma, which also is known as Myanmar.

Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi already has been making the case during her visit to the United States.

She told VOA that she is “very, very appreciative” of what the U.S. Congress has done for many years to support her democracy movement, but that now, the Burmese people have to try to work on their own. She said it is time for the people to take responsibility for the democratization of their country.