The United States urged Myanmar to implement a U.N. resolution imposing an arms embargo on North Korea in a face-to-face meeting, a senior U.S. State Department official said on Thursday, Reuters reported. The official, who spoke on condition he not be named, said Washington's willingness to improve relations with the military-ruled former Burma will depend partly on the outcome of a trial against pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. U.N. Security Council Resolution 1874, passed after North Korea's May 25 nuclear test, bans all North Korean arms exports, authorises member states to inspect North Korean sea, air and land cargo and requires them to seize and destroy any goods transported in violation of the sanctions. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Wednesday that the United States was worried about possible nuclear technology transfers from North Korea to Myanmar. Clinton on Wednesday also demanded Myanmar free Suu Kyi, saying "if she were released that would open up opportunities at least for my country to expand our relationship with Burma, including investments in Burma". U.S. officials made a similar case in their meeting with Myanmar officials on Wednesday, the U.S. official said, telling them that "the outcome of the trial of Aung San Suu Kyi would affect our willingness and ability to take positive steps in our bilateral relationship".
