Suu Kyi OK With Lifting Sanctions on Burma: Webb

Burma’s imprisoned opposition leader may be OK with a “new approach” toward the country’s oppressive military regime, Sen. Jim Webb told reporters today. Webb met with Aung San Suu Kyi on Saturday, during his visit to the country. “It was my clear impression from her that she is not opposed to lifting some sanctions,” said Webb, who is himself a proponent of lifting the restrictions, in part because China ignores them.

“Sanctions only work when you have all the countries potentially involved participating,” Webb said yesterday. “The sanctions have essentially driven Myanmar more towards China, making their country more vulnerable in my view and cutting off contact from the Western world.” Suu Kyi has long been thought to favor sanctions, but because she’s been little heard from during her long house arrest, her views may have changed. (More Jim Webb stories.)