US signals major policy shift towards Burma

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".