US diplomat says engagement won’t replace sanctions against Myanmar’s government

October 7th, 2009 Mediators: Madagascar leader can't run in electionANTANANARIVO, Madagascar — Madagascar's opposing political factions have agreed to retain the coup leader as head of the transitional government starting Wednesday but will not allow him to run in presidential elections, mediators said. African Union envoy Ablasse Ouedraogo said late Tuesday that coup leader Andry Rajoelina will lead the transitional government until an election is held.

September 30th, 2009 US: talks with Myanmar won't replace sanctionsWASHINGTON — The Obama administration said Wednesday it will not relax harsh sanctions against military-run Myanmar even as it pursues a new policy of direct talks with the Southeast Asian nation's generals. Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, the top U.S.

September 28th, 2009 YANGON - Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has requested permission from the ruling junta to talk about lifting economic sanctions with the US, Australia and the European (EU), opposition sources said Monday. Suu Kyi, who is currently under house detention, made the request in a letter sent to junta chief Senior General Than Shwe, the National League for Democracy (NLD) opposition party revealed.

September 25th, 2009 Yangon (Myanmar), Sep 25(ANI): Detained Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has backed the Obama administration's initiative to carry out talks with Burma's rulers. Suu Kyi comments came after indications from US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that the US is set to engage directly with Burma's military rulers in an effort to push for democratic reforms.

September 24th, 2009 Myanmar's Suu Kyi said to welcome new US approachYANGON, Myanmar — Detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi welcomes a U.S. initiative to step up contacts with Myanmar's military government, a spokesman for her political party said Thursday.

September 23rd, 2009 US changes track on MyanmarUNITED NATIONS — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Wednesday that the Obama administration has decided to engage directly with Myanmar's junta as part of international efforts to promote democracy in the military-run state. Clinton made the announcement at the United Nations after meeting with her counterparts from a number of countries trying to convince the authoritarian regime to reform, allow dissent and release political prisoners, including Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

September 12th, 2009 TEHRAN - Tehran Saturday said it was ready to resume diplomatic talks with the West on the basis of its latest proposals regarding global issues, but vowed to make no concessions in the nuclear dispute. "Iran is seriously willing to enter talks with the world powers on the basis of the items mentioned in the latest package," Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said in a press briefing in Tehran.

August 18th, 2009 US diplomat leaves for AsiaWASHINGTON — A senior U.S. diplomat is leaving for Asia to talk with officials about ways to implement tough United Nations sanctions meant to derail North Korea's nuclear weapons program.

August 12th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - The US embassy here has denied reports that one of its diplomats had been declared persona-non-grata after an apparent scuffle with the police in the northwestern city of Peshawar. Gerald M. Feierstein, the charge de Affairs at the US mission here, told Online news agency that the facts about the incident, in which the diplomat allegedly pointed a gun at the police and which occurred in Peshawar's diplomatic enclave had been distorted.

August 7th, 2009 Fla. gov won't appoint self to Sen. Martinez seatTALLAHASSEE, Fla.

July 6th, 2009 Reports: presidents to sign "road map"MOSCOW — Russian news agencies are citing a top diplomat as saying President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev will sign a "road map" for a future treaty to replace the START arms control agreement. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov is quoted as saying that the document, called a "a joint understanding on questions of the further cuts and limitations on strategic offensive weapons," will not contain details for the new treaty.

June 11th, 2009 Obama nominee indicates possible change on MyanmarWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama's choice as top U.S. diplomat for East Asia said Wednesday the United States is interested in easing its long-standing policy of isolation against military-run Myanmar.

April 9th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Renowned fashion designer Marc Jacob's has rebuffed claims that Hollywood actress Anne Hathaway may replace Victoria Beckham as the face of his ad campaign. Though Marc Jacob's and Hathaway have become close pals, the designer revealed that there were no plans to feature her as the face of her ad campaign.

April 9th, 2009 WASHINGTON - The United States has said it would start negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program. The decision is has being seen as a further step toward the direct engagement with Iran that US President Barack Obama has promised.

January 12th, 2009 WASHINGTON - US secretary of state-designate Hillary Clinton Tuesday said she would not rule out the possible use of military force by the Obama administration to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons capability. 'We are not taking any options off the table at all,' Clinton told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee during her confirmation hearings to become the top US diplomat.