"Breaking ranks with the international community, Australia�s Foreign Minister Alexander Downer became the first Western official to visit Burma in decades... It is clear that despite calls from the international community the junta has no real commitment to improving human rights or bringing about real political change, in Burma. It only took 24 hours in Burma to confirm that for Australian Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer. After meeting with junta leaders and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Downer told the world that the junta has no current plans to discuss national reconciliation with the opposition. He also told the Thai Foreign Minster in Bangkok that the time had come to increase the pressure on Burma. Now, Australia says it will put more public and moral pressure on Rangoon to show good faith and begin talks with the opposition. On his visit to Burma, Downer�s remarks made many observers think that Australia was considering a policy shift on Burma. Unlike most Western democratic countries, Australia previously believed it could persuade the junta with friendly "limited engagement" to respect human rights and restore democracy in Burma. Australia never held much faith in isolating Burma and has continued to maintain diplomatic ties with Rangoon..."