Clinton says Myanmar policy under review

JAKARTA, Feb. 18 (UPI) -- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton signaled the United States may shift its policy toward Myanmar, saying economic sanctions against the junta aren't working.

Clinton, speaking at a news conference Wednesday in Jakarta, said Obama administration officials are looking "at possible ideas" as part of a major review of the U.S. policy toward the country formerly known as Burma, The Washington Post reported.

"Clearly the path we have taken in imposing sanctions hasn't influenced the Burmese junta," Clinton said, noting that neighboring countries' efforts of "reaching out and trying to engage them has not influenced them either."

While Clinton didn't reveal the direction of the policy review, she described "the unfortunate path" taken by the military government, leaving it "impervious to influence from anyone."

Myanmar is considered as one of the world's most oppressive nations. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has been held in confinement repeatedly since her political party, National League for Democracy, won a landslide electoral victory in 1990 that the military junta refused to accept.

Clinton's visit to Indonesia is the second leg of her first diplomatic trip. She visited Japan, and will visit China and South Korea after leaving Indonesia.