Myanmar opens up new corridors for negotiation.

The recent discovery of a nose-less monkey with an ‘Elvis’ hairdo in a remote province of Myanmar is not the only good news springing from the country. As part of President Thein Sein’s goal to reform the long-isolated nation, he has told the army to cease attacks against ethnic Kachin rebels.

The order follows a recently inked ceasefire with another rebel group, the Shan State Army (South) to end long-running hostilities between government troops and militias and initiate cooperation on drugs suppression.

Peace talks with Myanmar’s many armed ethnic groups have long been a key demand by the West in order to have sanctions lifted.

The ceasefire was agreed during Hillary Clinton’s visit to Myanmar last month, which marked a dramatic shift in policy towards the state.

Hot on the heels of Clinton’s three-day visit, British foreign secretary William Hague will visit the country this month to ‘redouble efforts’ to support political freedom.

As Western nations scramble to get a foothold in the resource-rich country and lure it out of China’s political orbit, Aung San Suu Kyi has announced initial reforms have encouraged her to take part in forthcoming elections.