U.S. Relations With Burma: The United States supports a peaceful, prosperous, and democratic Burma that respects the human rights of all its peoples. Elections in November 2010 led to a peaceful transition from sixty years of military rule to a quasi-civilian government headed by President Thein Sein. Under President Thein Sein, the Government of Burma has initiated a series of political and economic reforms which have resulted in a substantial opening of the long-isolated country. These reforms include the release of many political prisoners, ceasefire agreements with 12 of 13 major non-state armed groups, greater freedom of the press, and parliamentary by-elections in 2012 in which pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her opposition party won 43 of the 44 seats they contested (out of 45) gaining approximately 11% representation in parliament. The Obama Administration has employed a calibrated engagement strategy to recognize the positive steps undertaken to date and to incentivize further reform. The guiding principles of this approach have been to support Burma?s political and economic reforms; promote national reconciliation; build government transparency, and accountability and institutions; empower local communities and civil society; and promote responsible international engagement and human rights. As part of our calibrated approach to support further reform, the United States has restored full diplomatic relations, re-established a U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission in country, supported assessment missions and technical assistance by international financial institutions, and eased financial and investment sanctions against Burma. President Obama?s trip to Burma in November 2012, the first visit of a sitting U.S. President, demonstrated the United States? continuing support to Burma in its political and economic reform efforts...More information about Burma is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here: Department of State Burma Country Page Doing Business in Burma page Department of State Key Officers List CIA World Factbook Burma Page USAID Burma Page Human Rights Reports International Religious Freedom Reports Trafficking in Persons Reports Narcotics Control Reports Office of Foreign Assets Control Sanctions Page"