US extends diplomatic hand to Burma

PHOTO

Just days before the second anniversary of mass protests, led by monks (pictured) in Burma in 2007, the US says it will re-engage the Burmese military government to push it towards democracy. [Reuters]

Kim Landers and wires

Last Updated: Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:10:00 +1000

The United States has changed its policy towards Burma, announcing it will engage diplomatically with the military run nation.

US President Barack Obama ordered a review of US policy towards Burma when he took office.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says sanctions have not produced the results that have been hoped for, and although they'll be retained, the US is also going to engage diplomatically with Burma.

""We believe that sanctions remain important as part of our policy but by themselves they have not produced the results that had been hoped for on behalf of the people of Burma," she said.

"Engagement versus sanctions is a false choice in our opinion so going forward we will be employing both of those tools, pursuing our same goals. And to help achieve democratic reform we will be engaging directly with Burmese authorities."

The foreign minister of Singapore, George Yeo, welcomed the move.

"Singapore welcomes the shift in position by the US and Europe; the decision to engage Myanmar (Burma) while keeping sanctions in place for the time being. We believe this will enable the US and Europe to have more influence in the political evolution of the country," he said.

The United Nations special envoy to Burma, Ibrahim Gambari, says, however, progress must be made.

"The release of some political prisoners last week is a step in the right direction but they fall short of our expectations. All political prisoners must be released including especially Daw Aung San Suu Kyi," he said.

Meanwhile, Burmese authorities have reportedly arrested a Burmese-born American who they accuse of instigating public unrest in the country.

Local media reports Kyaw Zaw Lwin, otherwise known as Nyi Nyi Aung, was arrested at the international airport in Rangoon at the beginning of the month.

The government-run newspaper The New Light of Myanmar says Kyaw Zaw Lwin is accused of trying to incite Buddhist monks to engage in anti-government activities and having contact with saboteurs.

The report says four other men have also been arrested, accused of being Kyaw Zaw Lwin's accomplices.