19 January, 2005 - Published 14:52 GMT

Burma among the outposts of tyranny

Condoleezza Rice, President George W Bush's nominee for secretary of state, has hinted at the direction of future US foreign policy by identifying six "outposts of tyranny" around the world.

Burma was mentioned as one of the outposts of tyranny by Ms Rice who was speaking at her confirmation hearing at the US Senate.

'To be sure, in our world, there remain outposts of tyranny and America stands with opressed people on every continent - in Cuba, and Burma, and North Korea, and Iran, and Belarus, and Zimbabwe said Condoleeza Rice.

If her nomination is confirmed, she will become the first black woman to serve as secretary of state.

President Bush has praised her "sound and steady judgement".

BBC Burmese interviews

BBC Burmese interviewed Prof John Badgely of Cornell and John Hopkins University.

Prof. Badgely says he does not expect Ms Rice's approach would be different from that of Colin Powell.

He says United States already had a tough policy on Burma and the military intervention is not likely.

U Lwin, spokesperson of the National League for Democracy says there is no connections between the US [foreign] policy and their activities.