Burma needs more than Suu Kyi

Within hours of the unexpected release from house arrest, Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi conferred with colleagues from her party, the National League for Democracy. The ruling State Law and Order Council has warned her not to break any laws, and it is unclear how far she -- or her party -- will be allowed to campaign for change.

Nevertheless, the fact that she was allowed contact with the opposition after nearly six years in detention suggests that, for the moment, the change in the military government's attitude toward her is real. Using the logic of totalitarianism, the government can even boast that it acted according to the law by releasing Aung San Suu Kyi within the deadline of her detention.

If the underlying reason for Aung San Suu Kyi's release was to make it easier for foreign investors to ignore domestic public opinion and pour money and know-how into the Burmese economy, they should beware. Their commercial enthusiasm should not blind them to the repression of millions of Burmese with no international profile to protect them. Aung San Suu Kyi has called for dialogue and reconciliation. Foreign investors should urge the military to follow that call, rather than being satisfied with this week's welcome release.

-- The South China Morning Post