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The announcement that US President Barack Obama plans to meet with the Burmese Prime Minister Thein Sein in Singapore next Sunday is a dramatic affirmation of Washington's new policy of engaging the junta after 15 years of attempting unsuccessfully to use isolation to force a change in its dismal human rights record.*

The policy gap between the US and Burma/Myanmar governments is acute, as it has hurt the interest of both sides. It has resulted in intensified Chinese penetration in Burma, affecting regional security and Sino-Indian relations. It has solidified both Burmese fear and suspicion of US actions and objectives, and disdain and vituperation toward the country by both the US administration and Congress The current trip might help to explore whether the policy...