Myanmar - Aung San Suu Kyi

Suu Kyi meets with Western diplomats in Yangon

Article published on the 2009-10-09 Latest update 2009-10-09 10:30 TU

Aung San Suu Kyi, 2 February 2009.
(Photo: Reuters)

Myanmar’s opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was given rare permission by military junta leaders Friday to visit with Western diplomats to discuss lifting sanctions on her country.

Suu Kyi was allowed to leave her house, where she has been confined on and off for ten years, and visit the US, UK and Australian embassies to discuss the situation in Myanmar.

Relations between the junta and the Nobel laureate softened last week after she wrote a letter to regime leader Than Shwe offering suggestions on how to have international sanctions lifted.

This was a distinct move away from her long-held stance of advocating international punitive measures.

Friday’s meetings could compliment this effort, providing Western powers with a compelling argument to develop a more conciliatory stance towards the pariah nation.