Senior US diplomats in Burma for talks with military junta, Suu Kyi

Two senior Barack Obama Administration officials have arrived in Burma to hold talks with the military junta and detained democratic leader icon Aung San Suu Kyi.

This is the highest-level visit by any American officials to the country in 14 years.

Suu Kyi is being held under house arrest in the commercial hub Yangon after her detention was extended by another 18 months, The Telegraph reports.

The Obama Administration latest move is to engage the military regime in talks, and the trip by Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell and his deputy Scot Marciel shows the US' seriousness to resolve the deadlock in Burma.

US Embassy spokesman Richard Mei said: "They are due to meet with senior government officials today. Tomorrow they will be in Yangon and meet with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other opposition leaders."

The US pair were unlikely to see the reclusive chief of the junta, Than Shwe, but will instead meet Prime Minister Thein Sein in the capital, Burmese officials said.

Campbell is the highest ranking US official to travel to Burma since Madeleine Albright went as US Ambassador to the United Nations in 1995 under the administration of President Bill Clinton.

"We see this visit as the start of direct engagement between the US and Myanmar government," Nyan Win, a spokesman for Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy Party (NLD), said.

"But we do not expect the exact and big change from this meeting. This visit is just a first stage," the paper quoted Nyan, as aying. (ANI)

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