Myanmar’s junta leader allowed detained Myanmar pro-democracy' leader Aung San Suu Kyi a rare meeting with Western diplomats yes-terdav to discuss sanctions imposed against the military-ruled country.

The Nobel Prize winner, who remains under house arrest, was driven to a government guesthouse to meet with diplomats of the United States, Great Britain and Australia, according to the officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because (hey were not authorised to speak to the press.

The meeting lasted about one hour. After it concluded, Suu Kyi was driven back to her lakeside residence, where she has spent 14ofthelast20years under house arrest.

Suu Kyi sent a letter to junta leader Senior Gen. Than Shwe on Sept. 26, stating her willingness to cooperate with the military government to have the sanctions lifted and seeking permission to meet with Western diplomats in order to understand positions of governments that imposed the sanctions.

The 64-year-old democracy icon had previously welcomed sanctions as a way to pressure the junta to achieve political reconciliation with the pro-democracy

movement Suu Kyi’s opposition party has insisted on concessions from the government if they are to work together, particularly the freeingof political prisoners.

Suu Kyi requested meetings with diplomats from the US, European Union and Australia and said she needed to meet her party to understand their position on sanctions.

.After the letter, Myanmar Relations Minister Aung Kyi met with Suu Kyi twice within a week. The second meeting took place Wednesday.

British Ambassador Andrew Heyn described Friday's meeting as a "factfindingmission' by Suu Kyi.