If the political situation in Myanmar does not improve, the United States may not send senior officials to a regional conference being held there.
Myanmar, which was formerly known as Burma, is hosting the 2006 meeting of the Association of South East Asian Nations.
Myanmar has been under military rule since 1962. In 1988, students led a pro-democracy movement against the military regime but the military formed the State Law and Order Restoration Council, killing thousands of protesters.
The National League for Democracy, led by Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, won the 1990 election, but the government annulled the results and arrested hundreds of opposition workers.
"We expect Burma's leadership to take steps to promote genuine national reconciliation and democracy," State Department deputy spokesman Adam Ereli told a briefing in Washington.
"The prevailing situation in Burma complicates our dealings with ASEAN and the Secretary of State will have to decide whether it's appropriate to participate at senior levels in meetings in Burma," Ereli said.
© Copyright 2005 by United Press International
