Detained Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi welcomed a U.S. initiative to step up contacts with Myanmar's military government, a spokesman for her political party said Sept. 24.

Nyan Win, spokesman for the National League for Democracy party, said Suu Kyi agreed with plans announced by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Sept. 23 for the Obama administration to engage in direct, high-level talks with the junta as part of efforts to promote democracy in Myanmar.

Washington has for many years taken a hard-line approach toward the junta, applying political and economic sanctions while trying to keep it isolated.