By Palash R. Ghosh: International Business Times As Myanmar (or Burma) gradually opens up to Western nations after a half-century of isolation , observers are wondering how far the Burmese government will actually go into enacting democratic reforms. Having elected a (nominally) civilian government last year, the new president of Burma, Thein Sein, has promised a series of liberalizing measures, including the legalization of trade unions, the release of (some) political prisoners, as well as “fair and free” elections. He has even opened up talks with pro-democracy activist and opposition figure, Aung San Suu Kyi.