Hillary Clinton in Singapore Today for APEC Summit

From Yahoo News:

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says the U.S. will not impose conditions on Myanmar to force democratic changes there.

But she also says existing sanctions will remain in place until the junta makes “meaningful progress” toward democracy in key areas.

The United States has been urging the junta to hold fair elections, release pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and allow her to return to political life.

Clinton says “this has to be resolved within” the country by its people. She told reporters Wednesday “we are not setting or dictating any conditions.”

She is in Singapore to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings ahead of the group’s summit this weekend. President Barack Obama will attend.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

SINGAPORE (AP) — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has urged China and India to push Myanmar toward democracy.

Clinton says “we need a broad response by the nations in the region” to the situation in Myanmar, which has been under military rule since 1962.

She is in Singapore to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings ahead of the group’s summit this weekend.

She told reporters Wednesday that China has an opportunity to play an important role…

I don’t mean to be the ant at the picnic here and I know I sound like a broken record in my criticism of China, but why does the United States continue to pretend like China is not a communist regime? While China does have incredible sway with Myanmar (Burma) and also North Korea (they prop them both up), it’s a bit strange to urge China to push Myanmar towards democracy when China doesn’t seem to be able to push itself in that direction. I’m just sayin’ Also, China is always the 800lb gorilla in the middle of the room, if it weren’t for China continuing to carry those countries economically, they (North Korea and to a lesser extent, Myanmar) arguably wouldn’t be in a position to flex their military muscle.

US secretary of State Hillary Clinton (R) walks with a delegate (L) to the ballroom for the Foreign Ministerial Meeting at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in Singapore on November 11, 2009.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, left, walks with a Deputy Chief of Staff Jake Sullivan to a APEC ministerial meeting in Singapore, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton left, chats with Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Singapore, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton centre, chats with Michigan Congressman Sander Levin (back to camera) at a coffee bar outside the Suntec Convention Centre in Singapore, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009