U.S., Myanmar officials hold talks: spokesman
Xinhua / June 29, 2007

Senior officials of the United States and Myanmar met in Beijing earlier this week over political concerns, the State Department said Thursday.

In a rare meeting on Tuesday, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Eric John and Myanmar's ministers of foreign affairs, culture and information had "very frank discussion," State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey told a news briefing.

"It gave us an opportunity to express our opinions directly to the (Myanmar) regime, Casey said.

U.S. officials were "clear and direct" in demanding the release of the opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and the thousands of political prisoners in Myanmar.

But, Casey said, "I don't think we saw anything coming out of them that would indicate, unfortunately, that they had changed their basic opinions."

Accusing the government of Myanmar of imposing political repression, Washington has been demanding the release of Aung San Suu Kyi who has been under house arrest for her behavior of sabotaging unity, stability and economic development of the country.

Myanmar, which categorically rejects the U.S. accusations, insists that there is no political prisoners in the country.

Aung San Suu Kyi is the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. The last meeting between officials of the United States and Myanmar was held in 2003.