In a world beset by war, ethnic conflict and humanitarian disasters, Burma (aka Myanmar) seems one of those rare places where diplomats can say they are making a positive difference.
Maybe that's precisely because this Southeast Asian land was until recently a pariah state, suffering from the self-inflicted wounds of a ruthless military regime, ethnic conflicts and reconstruction from a humanitarian crisis.
After returning from yet another visit to Burma, United Nations Special Envoy Vijay Nambiar described "dramatic positive changes in Myanmar." One year after a new civilian government was formed, he said political and economic reforms, as well as the release of political prisoners, were "key components of change." Still, the veteran diplomat cautioned that "Myanmar was only at the beginning of its transition."