U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell says he thinks Burma is missing a golden opportunity to become a respected member of the international community.
In a wide-ranging interview with foreign reporters at the State Department Thursday , Mr. Powell said he is disappointed the military government in Rangoon has not moved forward on implementing democracy or freeing detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
He said the United States will never have a satisfactory relationship with Burma until it implements its promised roadmap to democracy.
Last month, President Bush renewed sanctions against the Burmese government over the continued detention of Aung San Suu Kyi. She has been held since May of last year after a violent confrontation between her supporters and pro-military.