Burma update - watchful optimism?

2011-08-29 August is the anniversary month of the 8-8-88 uprisings and more recently the 8/2007 repression of the monks and other democracy protestors.

Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the democracy movement, has been free from house arrest since November. She sounded optimistic after her first meeting with president Thein Sein last week: "From my point of view, I think the president wants to achieve real positive change."  Thein Sein took office last March.

Suu Kyi also was able to meet with United Nations Human Rights Rapporteur Tomas Ojea Quintana for the first time - previously he had been prevented from seeing her by the regime. "I am really satisfied. I am encouraged to have seen him as he is an expert in this issue (human rights)."

However, according to Suu Kyi's facebook page, 2200 political prisoners remain behind bars.

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