Michael GoldfarbJanuary 5, 2012 13:49

Step by step, Burma opens up to Europe

Foreign Secretary William Hague is the first senior British official to visit the country in half a century and meets Aung San Suu Kyi

Enlarge

Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and British Foreign Secretary pose for photographers before their meeting today in Rangoon (SOE THAN WIN/AFP/Getty Images)

William Hague is spending two days in Burma, which, until recently, has been one of the most politically isolated countries in the world. Today he visited with government leaders in the capital Naypyitaw including the president, Thein Sein.

In a statement, Hague said, “I emphasized the importance the British government attaches to the reforms that the Burmese government has undertaken in the last six months." Hague added, he hoped the progress would continue and that all of Burma's political prisoners would be released. The number of political prisoners in the country is estimated at between 600 and 2,000.

Burma marks independence day by granting prisoners amnesty

Talia RalphJanuary 4, 2012 15:55

Burma granted amnesty to prisoners in honor of its independence day. However, human rights groups are dissatisfied with the number of political prisoners who were freed.

Burma blasts kill 17, injure 80

News DeskDecember 28, 2011 23:49

Local authorities confirmed the fire started in a state-owned warehouse and quickly spread to homes and buildings, many of them wooden.

Zarganar: Burma’s funniest dissident

Patrick WinnDecember 26, 2011 09:54

BANGKOK — Since his prison release in October, the comedian has met with Hillary Clinton, Aung San Suu Kyi, a slew of Western diplomats and even the World Bank.

Top 11 people who rocked 2011

News DeskDecember 15, 2011 01:22

BOSTON — From Mohamed Bouazizi, who gave his life when he started the Arab Spring, to Angela Merkel, who made waves largely by her inaction.

Will politics sully Aung San Suu Kyi?

Patrick WinnDecember 7, 2011 07:18

BANGKOK — In confinement, she was exalted and considered nearly above criticism. In playing politics, she runs the risk of disappointing her faithful.

Hillary Clinton: Aung San Suu Kyi is a friend and inspiration

Hanna IngberDecember 2, 2011 12:59

Photographs show the two female world leaders laughing together and embracing one another as they give a joint press conference outside Suu Kyi's Rangoon home, where she spent much of the past two decades under house arrest.

US to Burma: reforms must continue

Kyle KimDecember 1, 2011 15:08

In an attempt to establish new ties with Burma (Myanmar), US officials urged the country to live up to its promise to cut its military ties with North Korea and address its human rights abuses.

Burma: US to relax curbs on aid

Hanna IngberDecember 1, 2011 11:00

China pushes Burma for closer military ties

Hanna IngberNovember 28, 2011 11:03

China's offer to Burma, also known as Myanmar, comes after President Obama visited the region and pledged a continued US presence in the area. Obama, in what was seen as a response to China's growing influence in the region, told Asia-Pacific leaders that the United States was "here to stay."