Just as fellow Nobel Laureate Nelson Mandela was a constant lightening rod for protests against South Africa’s apartheid government, so to is Aung San Suu Kyi the inescapable top-of-mind political fact hanging in any discussion with Myanmar’s military dictators because imprisonment has negated Myanmar’s next election before a single vote is cast.

Is it possible that the State Peace and Development Council resistance to outside disdain is crumbling?

From The Canadian Press:

Myanmar’s military-ruled government may release pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi soon, so she can play a role in next year’s general elections, according to a senior Myanmar diplomat.

The remarks by Min Lwin – rare for a Myanmar government official on an overseas visit – were in line with vague comments in recent years by the junta that it intends to free Suu Kyi soon. But officials have given no time frame and have made no real moves to release her.

Jim Gomez’s story does not mention what may be a historic meal next week and a significant impetus to change in Myanmar when:

President Barack Obama will sit at the same table with Myanmar Prime Minister Thein Sein at the meeting on Nov. 15, the highest-level contact between the two countries in decades.

I suspect that more than coffee and cocktails will be downed.