Japanese officials say a top Burmese official has suggested themilitary regime could ease restrictions on opposition leader Aung SanSuu Kyi, who is under house arrest.
The officials quote Burma'sprime minister, General Thein Sein, as telling a group of SoutheastAsian leaders Saturday that authorities could relax the currentmeasures against Aung San Suu Kyi if she, in his words, "maintains agood attitude."
Aung San Suu Kyi has in the past supportedinternational sanctions against Burma as a means to pressure themilitary regime to restore democracy. But recently, she said she iswilling to work with the government to get the sanctions lifted.
Earlierthis month, Aung San Suu Kyi discussed the issue with a Burmesegovernment official and was then allowed to meet with U.S., Australianand British diplomats.
Southeast Asian nations are meeting inThailand to discuss a range of issues, including human rights, as theyseek to form a regional political and economic bloc by 2015.
UnitedNations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon last month urged Southeast Asiannations to put pressure on Burma to release all of its politicalprisoners and start a dialogue with the opposition ahead of next year'selections.
Burma's military regime has held Aung San Suu Kyiunder some form of detention for 14 of the past 20 years. Her housearrest was extended by an additional 18 months in August for allowingan uninvited American man to stay at her home without officialpermission.
The international community has denounced Aung SanSuu Kyi's conviction, accusing the military of using it as an excuse toprevent her from participating in next year's elections.