US signals major policy shift towards Burma

[SpartanDem]

Source: The Guardian

The US government is to embark on a major policy shift towards Burma after concluding that its long-term policy of sanctions had failed to sway the junta.

The US state department confirmed today that the new strategy, while keeping sanctions in place, will involve high-level engagement with Burmese leaders, in line with Barack Obama's policy of talking with countries it regards as international pariahs.

In contrast with George Bush's administration, Obama has offered to hold direct talks with Iran and North Korea.

The shift was signalled on the sidelines of the UN general assembly in New York last night when the US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, said America will move "in the direction of both engagement and continued sanctions".

Speaking to foreign ministers at a Friends of Burma meeting, she said: "Engagement versus sanctions is a false choice in our opinion. So we will be employing both of those tools ... to help achieve democratic reform we will be engaging directly with Burmese authorities." The sanctions, imposed by the EU and US, would be eased if the junta moved towards significant reform, she added.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/sep/24/burma-obama-foreign-policy

[Aragorn]

1. what ?!?

Why do they hate our freedoms?

[theoldman]

2. Keep your friends close.

Keep your enemies closer.

[Thothmes]

3. Why not try this wth Cuba

believe it would be much more beneficial for both the Americans and the Cubans.

[elleng]

5. I think we are.

[Chulanowa]

6. Cuba is working closely with Latin America

The so-called "American century" is fitfully but certainly drawing to a close. Ego-bruising as it may be, the Cubans don't need us. I'm sure they wouldn't mind another nation to work with, but they don't need it like htye did when the embargo and sanctions were imposed.

[elleng]

4. Its about time!

[Shanti Mama]

7. When will HRC begin engagement with China over Tibet?

Never, because the People's Republic owns us.

[David__77]

8. China has nothing to say to the US about its boundaries...

..