October 12, 2007 (LPAC)--The U.S. acting Ambassador to Myanmar, Shari Villarosa, met with government representatives today, a rare occurrence, to discuss a possible meeting between the government and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. This is further indication that the UN and the US are supporting the Myanmar junta's demand that Suu Kyi drop her support for western sanctions and drop the confrontational policy toward the junta, in exchange for negotiations. Suu Kyi has previously insisted on these dogmatic demands, clearly "made in London."

The UN Security Council issued a President's Letter "deploring" the violent suppression of the September demonstrations, calling for dialog with the opposition and release of political prisoners. But the letter also states: "The Security Council welcomes the Government of Myanmar's public commitment to work with the United Nations and the appointment of a liaison officer with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi."

The Presidential Letter is not a Security Council resolution, but more like a "sense of the body" statement. There is no mention in the letter of sanctions or "democracy," no deadlines, and no demands for an accounting of those arrested - i.e., it did not go beyond what the junta has agreed to do over time. China and Russia approved the letter in this form.