False Dawn in Burma

Compared to its usual benighted state, recent events in Burma appear to offer a glimmer of hope. On his return from a six-day visit, United Nations special envoy Ibrahim Gambari told the Security Council on Nov. 13 that the situation in Burma was "qualitatively different" from how it was during September's brutal crackdown against Buddhist monk–led democracy protests. Aung San Suu Kyi , the Nobel laureate opposition leader, was allowed to meet with members of her party for the first time in three years, and released a statement saying she looked forward to "a meaningful and time-bound dialogue"...