Since the restoration of civilian rule, Secretary Clinton and a number of top U.S. officials have traveled there for talks with Burmese leaders, who have undertaken a number of political reforms. These include easing restrictions on media and civil society, legalizing the main opposition party, the National League for Democracy, setting a date for by-elections this spring, passing new laws to protect the rights of assembly and workers, providing access for humanitarian groups to conflict areas, and establishing a national human rights commission. In addition, the government has made overtures to begin talks and address long-running tensions in ethnic minority areas. Burmese leaders recently signed a ceasefire agreement with the Karen National Union, the first ceasefire with the Karen in 63 years of conflict. The United States would like to see an immediate end to violence in all of Burma's ethnic minorities, as well as release of all remaining political prisoners. We will continue to support the people of Burma and their efforts, and to encourage the government to continue taking bold steps that build the kind of free and prosperous nation that their people desire to see.