After a three day visit to Burma last week, UN Under Secretary-General Ibrahim Gambari seems positive that the junta was ready to 'begin a new chapter in its relationship with the international community.'

During the visit, Gambari met with the nation's top brass, including General Than Shwe, to whom he passed a letter from Kofi Annan urging him to release Aung San Suu Kyi. Perhaps most surprising to everyone, was that he was also allowed to meet with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi herself, the first official visit she's been allowed in years.

Many, including Gambari, have hailed this meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi as a sign that the oppressive junta is 'opening up', and may even be willing to release the democratic leader on Saturday, when her term of house arrest is up once again.   more »