The United States says that it's concerned by a wave of arrests of Cuban opposition activists on the communist-run island. A spokesman for the State Department demanded the immediate release of dozens of activists.
BBC World News
第二页:中英双语听力稿
The US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has announced an easing of sanctions against Burma. She praised recent developments there, but said the reform process still had a long way to go. Paul Adams reports from Washington.
美国国务卿希拉里·克林顿宣布缓和对缅甸的制裁措施,她对缅甸近来的发展表示赞扬,但同时表示,改革进程还有很远的路要走。PaulAdams在华盛顿报道。
Hillary Clinton had already said the US would respond positively to democratic progress in Burma. When the former political prisoner Aung San Suu Kyi won a seat in parliament over the weekend, it was inevitable Washington would act. Some travel and financial restrictions will now be eased, senior Burmese officials will be able to visit the United States and the US will open a development office in Burma. The EU is clearly weighing up a similar package of moves. Speaking in London, the British Foreign Secretary William Hague said some sanctions may be lifted. The elections, he said, appeared to have been a very important moment of change. But he and Hillary Clinton both said they wanted to see the release of other political prisoners.