Rangoon Residents See Flicker of Hope in Burma

Source: Agence France-Presse via Inquirer.net

Residents in Myanmar's main city Yangon are divided over the prospects for change after a meeting between opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and an official of the junta which has ruled for the past 45 years.

Many in Yangon, which was at the heart of recent anti-junta protests, also expressed optimism over the signs and were hopeful that the military rulers would heed her offer to hold talks.

"It's a good tactic to pursue the military government," said one 40-year-old man, who like most people in Myanmar wished to remain anonymous because of the sensitivity of the subject.

"If the government doesn't accept her offer.. it would be their responsibility."

One monk who joined the protest said he believed the generals were only trying to appease the international community, and did not really have the political will for dialogue.

"Basically if they were honest enough, the process should not be very long like this," said the monk, who said he was concerned the junta would drag the process out.

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