Canada to open embassy in Myanmar

Myanmar's changes over the past year or so have seen it emerge from decades of authoritarian rule and diplomatic isolation, although it remains dominated by its military. In April, Canada lifted the blanket sanctions it had imposed on Myanmar in an effort to encourage the country's surprisingly rapid reforms.

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Video: Suu Kyi discusses election irregularities with John Baird

"We put in sanctions to try to encourage the government to change course, and they changed course in a major way," Mr. Baird after visiting the country in March.

In Ottawa, the Conservatives, who often touted their sanctions against Myanmar as the toughest in the world, found themselves in a sea change. Virtually all trade or economic exchanges with Myanmar were banned. Now almost anything goes - except that prohibitions on arms sales remain in place.

In May, U.S. President Barack Obama declared a new chapter in U.S. relations with Myanmar, easing an investment ban and naming the first U.S. ambassador to the former pariah state in 22 years to reward it for democratic reforms.

Mr. Obama pointed to the parliamentary election of opposition figure Aung San Suu Kyi as a prominent example of progress. Ms. Suu Kyi spent 15 of the previous 22 years under house arrest before her release in late 2010.

More to come