US officials meet Burma detainee

Aung San Suu Kyi (right) arrives for a meeting with US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell (left) at the Inya Lake Hotel in Yangon November 4, 2009. [Reuters]
PHOTO

Aung San Suu Kyi (right) arrives for a meeting with US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell (left) at the Inya Lake Hotel in Yangon November 4, 2009. [Reuters]

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ABC's correspondent Karen Percy on US meeting in Burma

Created: 04/11/2009

Last Updated: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 11:21:00 +1100

A top US official has met Burma's detained democracy figurehead, Aung San Suu Kyi, as part of Washington's highest-level visit to the isolated, army-ruled country in 14 years.

Ms Suu Kyi was granted temporary release from house detention to attend talks with Kurt Campbell, the US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia.

In a rare gesture of openness by the regime, journalists were able to witness the 64-year old democracy hero's arrival at a hotel in central Rangoon.

Mr Campbell says during the visit they have urged the junta to commit to increased dialogue between the government, the opposition and minority ethnic groups.

"The goal of such a dialogue would be national reconciliation and a fully inclusive political process inside Burma," he said.

"Towards that end, we urge the Burmese government to allow Aung San Suu Kyi more frequent interactions with stakeholders especially the Central Executive Committee of her own party.

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