A senior U.S. official and democracy advocate Aung San Suu Kyi discussed sanctions against Myanmar's military government Friday as Washington considers whether to ease the country's isolation.

Last year, President Barack Obama said that since decades of sanctions had failed to bring about change in Myanmar, perhaps dialogue would be more fruitful. Suu Kyi also suggested last year she might be open to an easing of the measures, which she has long supported.

However, after a recent election that was widely criticized as a sham, both the U.S. and the democracy advocate may be reconsidering their positions.

Joseph Y. Yun, deputy assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, said the meeting Friday with Suu Kyi at her lakeside home was "very productive."

"I learned a lot and I'll get back to Washington now to digest the three days of meetings here," he told reporters. During his visit, Yun also met Foreign Minister Nyan Win and other government officials, members of several political parties and U.N. representatives.

The visit came after Nov. 7 elections that were widely criticized as merely a way to cement military rule.

Suu Kyi was released after the vote from seven years of detention. Her National League for Democracy party did not take part in the balloting, and was disbanded by the government as a result.

Suu Kyi told reporters that she and Yun "discussed a number of issues including sanctions," but did not elaborate. Continued...