Webb Hints Suu Kyi May Favor Engagement

Pyongyang has since been hailing its own magnanimity in releasing the two reporters, but has also resumed its saber-rattling.

Webb's mission to Burma provoked concern among Burmese dissident groups, which worry that the junta will use his visit as a tool for public relations without any real alteration of policy.

The Burmese junta's media mouthpieces have already made much of Than Shwe's “gesture” in commuting Suu Kyi's sentence from three years in jail to 18 months house arrest, despite international condemnation of the trial process and pleas that she be freed.

Sen Webb today repeated that he requested to Than Shwe that Suu Kyi be released, but did not give any more details, beyond saying, "We need to wait and see what happens over the coming months."