Attacks against Suu Kyi, daughter of national hero General Aung San who won independence from Britain in 1948, had largely ceased after she began closed-door discussions with the generals. But they had been pushed into dialogue by international pressure and talked through gritted teeth, leading to the present impasse.
Suu Kyi did visit NLD offices outside Rangoon, but in January supporters greeting her in one centre were beaten with batons and sprayed with fire hoses.
Burma certainly has pariah status. Washington maintains an investment ban, travel restrictions for Burmese officials and an arms embargo - only U.S. sanctions on Iraq are tougher.
Last late year, a U.S. State Department investigation reported Burma used rape as a weapon against ethnic minorities and human rights groups allege the army includes more child soldiers than any other fighting force worldwide.
To be fair, during recent travels to Kiplingesque Mandalay, the ancient temples of Pagan beside the muddy Irrawaddy, and Lashio, way-station on the second world war's infamous Burma Road to China, I saw fewer signs of forced labour than on earlier visits. Nor did I notice underage soldiers, though they could be deployed in the Shan state against ethnic minorities.
Suu Kyi did visit NLD offices outside Rangoon, but in January supporters greeting her in one centre were beaten with batons and sprayed with fire hoses.
Burma certainly has pariah status. Washington maintains an investment ban, travel restrictions for Burmese officials and an arms embargo - only U.S. sanctions on Iraq are tougher.
Last late year, a U.S. State Department investigation reported Burma used rape as a weapon against ethnic minorities and human rights groups allege the army includes more child soldiers than any other fighting force worldwide.
To be fair, during recent travels to Kiplingesque Mandalay, the ancient temples of Pagan beside the muddy Irrawaddy, and Lashio, way-station on the second world war's infamous Burma Road to China, I saw fewer signs of forced labour than on earlier visits. Nor did I notice underage soldiers, though they could be deployed in the Shan state against ethnic minorities.