US Senator to meet Myanmar leader

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Myanmar protesters hold up a placard calling for the release of detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi during a protest in front of the Myanmar embassy in New Delhi. — AFP

BANGKOK, Aug 13 (AFP): In the first-ever encounter between a senior US official and the junta strongman, Democratic Senator Jim Webb is due to meet Myanmar supremo Than Shwe later this week, Webb's office said Thursday.
The visit by Webb, who is close to US President Barack Obama, comes after the junta was widely condemned for extending democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's house arrest for another 18 months.
"Later this week, US Senator Jim Webb is scheduled to meet with leaders at the highest levels of the national government in Burma (Myanmar), including Senior General Than Shwe," a statement from Webb's office said.