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The United States government, last Friday, formally restored diplomatic relations with the government of Myanmar, or Burma, as it was known before the ruling military Junta changed the nation’s name. The restoration of relations came on the heels of an announcement that the Myanmar regime had released 651 political prisoners. Among those arrested as political prisoners in the course of many conflicts are civilian protestors, Buddhist monks, and students. A day before the prisoner release, the government announced a cease-fire in the long-running conflict between the military and ethnic Karen rebels in the east. AFP reports that a presidential order at the end of last year to end fighting against ethnic Kachin rebels in the north failed to end the conflict there. Around the same time, though, a successful ceasefire was brokered between ethnic fighters of the Shan State Army-South and its local government. In the wake of the prisoner release, Myanmar as a state was still not wholeheartedly embraced by the United Nations, which issued a statement that more reforms were needed. In contrast US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton was enthusiastic, saying, “[t]his is a momentous day for the diverse people of Burma,” and she announced plans to exchange ambassadors with the country. Burma has been in a state of civil war since it was declared independent from British colonial rule in 1948. State violence against ethnic minorities have caused the international community to isolate Burma by imposing sanctions against the ruling government. Hundreds of thousands of Burmese have been displaced by fighting around the nation. Meanwhile, as part of the reforms announced by President Thein Sein, elections are scheduled for April 1st. Burma’s most well known leader and Nobel Peace Laureate, Aung San Suu Kyi, who was released recently after decades of house arrest has registered to run for office.

GUEST: Edith Mirante, human rights activist, director of Project Maje, author of Burmese Looking Glass, and Down the Rat Hole: Adventures Underground on Burma’s Frontiers

Visit www.projectmaje.org for more information.