Aung San Suu Kyi Meets US, Other Diplomats

Surprise permission may signal shift in Burmese junta
By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 9, 2009 5:28 AM CDT
Aung San Suu Kyi Meets US, Other Diplomats
Sen. Jim Webb met with Aung San Suu Kyi in Rangoon this August. The detained Burmese pro-democracy leader was allowed to speak with US and other diplomats today.   (AP Photo/Office of Senator Jim Webb)

Burma's military rulers allowed Aung San Suu Kyi to meet with diplomats from the US, Britain and Australia today, an unexpected development that may reflect shifts in Western approaches to the regime. The hourlong meeting took place at a government guest house, after which she was returned to the home where she is serving another period of house arrest. The British ambassador said Suu Kyi, whose health had been in doubt, was "very healthy and very engaged."

Suu Kyi requested the meeting to get a fuller understanding of Western sanctions against Burma, after telling the junta leader last month that she was willing to work with the military government get the them lifted. She has also asked for permission to meet with members of her party, the Guardian reports.
(More Aung San Suu Kyi stories.)

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