The United States is interested in easing its longstanding policy of isolation against military-ruled Myanmar, the nominee to be the top State Department envoy for Asia said Wednesday. Kurt Campbell, the nominee to be assistant secretary of state for East Asian affairs, told lawmakers at his Senate confirmation hearing that Myanmar's treatment of detained democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi hinders any U.S. effort to change course and engage the ruling junta in Myanmar, which U.S. officials refer to by its previous name, Burma. “As a general practice, we're prepared to reach out, not just in Burma but in other situations as well,” Campbell said. But the junta's trial this week of Suu Kyi on charges that could imprison her for five years is “deeply, deeply concerning, and it makes it very difficult to move forward.” Traditionally, the United States has relied on tough sanctions meant to force the Myanmar generals to respect human rights and release thousands of political prisoners. Campbell stressed that greater engagement with Myanmar would not mean the removal of sanctions, but his remarks indicate that the State Department is seriously considering a change in policy. Previous U.S. policy on Myanmar had “not borne fruit,” Campbell said, adding that “there's a very high-level degree of interest in seeing what's possible going forward, and a deep sense of disappointment in the recent steps that the junta has taken toward Aung San Suu Kyi.” Suu Kyi's political party overwhelmingly won an election victory 19 years ago but was prevented from taking office. She has been detained without trial for more than 13 of the past 19 years, including the last six. She is currently on trial for allegedly violating the rules of her house arrest.
