(Image source: Julian Simmons/ The Telegraph)

BY CAMILLE MAESTRACCI

ANCHOR LAUREN ZIMA

Recent changes in Burma are encouraging freed pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi to return to politics.  Ms. Suu Kyi’s opposition party -- The National League for Democracy -- conducted a meeting over its likely return in Burma’s upcoming election.  A reporter for BBC spoke with the Nobel Prize Laurete.

And the big question facing her now is when she should run for office. There are by-elections pending for MP’s that have been promoted to a minister level say there are some vacant seats in Parliament. There is a real debate in her party. She made it very clear that tomorrow they are gonna decide to stand. She made it clear that many in her party want to wait for further reforms from the government but she’s not among them.

Ms. Suu Kyi was released last year after nearly 15 years of house arrest.  The new civilian government released more political prisoners in October.  This -- after the end of nearly 50 years of military rules.

Britain’s International Development secretary travelled to Burma, and wrote optimistically about the country’s future in a piece for the Telegraph.  He spoke with Ms. Suu Kyi, who outlined what she says are the necessary steps to achieve the change they both hope for.

“I’ve come here to show this school to the British minister. I’d like him to see what our country needs since he is a minister for international development. Our intention is to have a good education system for all the people in our country. It should be understood that the government which can do the best for the people is only possible under the influence of the people.”

But a writer for the New York Times Burma has made progress, but for Ms. Suu Kyi and the NLD -- the future is still unclear.

“[Her] party remains divided between those eager to rejoin the mainstream and a small group of hard-liners who are not convinced that the recent changes to the economy and the political system are real and permanent. In addition, other crucial decisions have yet to be announced, including a response to Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi’s demand that more political prisoners be released.”

While the government released some prisoners in October, many prominent dissidents are still detained.   President Obama to the Australian Parliament Wednesday, affirming the U.S.’ dedication to support the progress in Burma.  ABC News reports...

“While previous US presidents refused to engage with Burma because of its human rights abuses and refusal to recognize basic democratic values, President Obama opted for a strategy of engagement.”

Burma is slated to take its spot as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 2014.