US President Barack Obama has appointed David Mitchell as a special envoy¹ to Burma.

美国总统奥巴马委任戴维·米切尔为缅甸特使。

Currently at the Department of Defense², Mr Mitchell is said by Washington media to be due to reinvigorate（使复兴） US policy on Burma's military-backed government.

He is expected to be the country's main interlocutor（对话者） with Burma's rulers.

Earlier this week, the European Union relaxed some sanctions against members of Burma's government, signalling a more flexible approach by the West.

Mr Mitchell has held several posts in the defence and state departments and at think tanks pertaining³ to South East Asia.

If the appointment is confirmed by the Senate, his formal title will be Special Representative and Policy Coordinator⁴ for Burma, with the rank of Ambassador, Department of State.

Early on in the Obama administration, US diplomats⁵ sought a new approach towards Burma, based on greater dialogue.

The Assistant Secretary of State, Kurt Campbell, said at that time that the US wanted a "sustained process of interaction" with Burma after only sporadic⁶（零星的，分散的） contacts in recent years.

But he added that key reforms were needed, including the freeing of all political prisoners and an end to conflicts with ethnic⁷ minorities.

Looking ahead

Since then, the pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been released from house arrest at the expiry of her detention⁸ order, and the junta⁹ have held elections which they say marks a move towards civilian¹⁰ rule.

Former military officers have dropped their ranks and now lead most aspects of government as civilians¹¹.

The US and most other outside observers said the elections were a sham¹².

The Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) has welcomed the elections and suggested that sanctions should be dropped in order to help Burma progress.

Western countries have yet to agree on that issue, but are looking for ways to move forward.

The EU suspended travel and financial restrictions¹³ on four ministers - including the foreign minister - and 18 vice-ministers in the new government.

It is the first easing of curbs¹⁴ since they were imposed in 1996 in response to abuses by the military junta.

It follows the swearing-in last month of the new nominally¹⁵ civilian government.