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Burma's Suu Kyi in diplomat talks Burma's Suu Kyi in diplomat talks
(about 4 hours later)
Burma's democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been allowed by ruling generals to meet top Western diplomats.Burma's democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been allowed by ruling generals to meet top Western diplomats.
Analysts say the talks in Rangoon are believed to be about recent shifts in the West's approach to trying to bring about change in Burma. The Rangoon talks focused on the long-standing Western sanctions.
The diplomats are reported to be ambassadors from the United States, Australia and Britain. Ms Suu Kyi met the UK ambassador and the deputy heads of the Australian and US missions for talks lasting an hour at a state guesthouse.
The US has said it will pursue dialogue with the regime as well as maintaining sanctions against it. The US recently announced a change of policy, saying it would pursue dialogue with the military regime while maintaining sanctions.
"We look forward to hearing directly from Aung San Suu Kyi her views regarding the situation in Burma," US embassy spokesman Drake Weisert told AFP news agency. Reports suggest Ms Suu Kyi has softened her views on sanctions in recent times, concluding they are adversely affecting the lives of ordinary Burmese while the military rulers still manage to conduct trade with China and other neighbours.
Another Western diplomat confirmed that the meeting had been taking place between 1000 and 1100 local time (0330-0430 GMT). New approach?
Sanctions debate British ambassador Andrew Heyn said the meeting was a "fact-finding mission" by Ms Suu Kyi.
Last month, Ms Suu Kyi sent a letter to junta leader Senior General Than Shwe saying she was ready to cooperate with the government to have sanctions lifted and sought permission to meet Western diplomats to discuss the issue. "Her objective is to try to get a clear picture of sanctions - what sanctions are and the impact of sanctions," the ambassador said after the meeting.
On Saturday, she met a member of the country's ruling military government for the first time since early 2008. She seemed "very healthy and very engaged," he said.
Ms Suu Kyi is under renewed house arrest in Rangoon, after a court rejected her appeal against an additional 18 month sentence. Burma has been ruled by its military since 1962
Reports suggest she has softened her views on sanctions in recent times, concluding that they are adversely affecting the lives of ordinary Burmese. Friday's meeting was the latest in a series of carefully choreographed talks that may represent the start of a new approach, says the BBC's South East Asia correspondent, Rachel Harvey.
Recently, a senior US official confirmed he had met a Burmese government minister in New York - the first such contact in more than 10 years.
That came after the US announced a new policy on Burma, which consists of a mix of sanctions and dialogue.
The BBC's South East Asia correspondent, Rachel Harvey, says the recent series of carefully choreographed meetings perhaps represent the start of a new approach.
But exactly what form that new approach might take and where it might lead is very much open to question, she says.But exactly what form that new approach might take and where it might lead is very much open to question, she says.
Ms Suu Kyi is under renewed house arrest in Rangoon, after a court rejected her appeal against an additional 18-month sentence.
Last month, Ms Suu Kyi sent a letter to junta leader Senior General Than Shwe saying she was ready to co-operate with the government to have sanctions lifted and seeking permission to meet Western diplomats to discuss the issue.
In the last week, she has had two meetings with a member of the country's ruling military government - Aung Kyi - for the first time since early 2008.
Recently, a senior US official confirmed he had met a Burmese government minister in New York - the first such contact in more than 10 years.
Aung San Suu Kyi's party won Burma's last elections in 1990 but was never allowed to take power.Aung San Suu Kyi's party won Burma's last elections in 1990 but was never allowed to take power.
Observers believe Burma's military authorities want to keep the pro-democracy leader in detention until after polls scheduled for next year.Observers believe Burma's military authorities want to keep the pro-democracy leader in detention until after polls scheduled for next year.