Myanmar

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Webb Visits Burma, Will Meet With Junta Chief

(Newser) - Sen. Jim Webb arrived in Burma today and will meet with the leader of the country's junta this weekend, reports the New York Times. The Virginia Democrat will be the highest-ranking American official ever to meet Gen. Than Shwe; the White House said the senator was "not carrying a...

Buddhist Monks Are Key to Change in Burma
Buddhist Monks Are Key to Change in Burma
OPINION
Aug 11, 2009 6:00 PM CDT

Buddhist Monks Are Key to Change in Burma

Diplomatic efforts to 'engage' generals won't lead to democracy

(Newser) - The extension of Aung San Suu Kyi’s house arrest today serves as the latest reminder of the injustice at the core of the Burmese government. Past US policy revolves around sanctions, which further isolate the country and drive it into China’s economic embrace. Some congressional figures have called...

Suu Kyi Found Guilty
 Suu Kyi Found Guilty 
Aug 11, 2009 3:24 AM CDT

Suu Kyi Found Guilty

Myanmar democracy activist gets another 18 months house arrest

(Newser) - Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been found guilty of violating a security law because an American swam to her house, and will again be placed in house detention for at least another 18 months, Reuters reports. The court handed down a sentence of three years hard labor,...

Suu Kyi Supporters Soften Demands to Win Release

(Newser) - Aung San Suu Kyi’s supporters are reevaluating their tactics ahead of her expected conviction tomorrow, hoping they can come to some kind of agreement with Myanmar’s junta, the Wall Street Journal reports. Suu Kyi faces a five-year sentence for violating her government-imposed house arrest by allowing in an...

Suu Kyi Verdict Delayed, but Rumors Fly

(Newser) - The Burmese court trying Aung San Suu Kyi has postponed its verdict for two weeks, surprising her supporters and foreign observers who expected a finding of guilt today. Although the court said it needed more time to decide the case, one diplomat told the Times of London that the junta...

Suu Kyi Expects Guilty Verdict Friday

(Newser) - Aung San Suu Kyi learns Friday whether she will be found guilty of violating her house arrest, and the Burmese dissident expects the worst. “I’m afraid the verdict will be painfully obvious," she told diplomats in court today as her trial wrapped up. A conviction—she is...

Clinton Voices Concern Over Burma-N. Korea Arms Links

Secretary of state will push ASEAN for tough enforcement of N.Korea sanctions

(Newser) - Hillary Clinton is concerned about possible military cooperation between Myanmar and North Korea, the New York Times reports. In Thailand on the eve of the ASEAN conference, the secretary of state told her hosts that their country would be particularly vulnerable to a pernicious relationship between the two dictatorships. Clinton...

Dumbledore Sparks Fight for Real-World Justice

Nonprofit Harry Potter Alliance uses books as inspiration

(Newser) - Harry Potter’s battle against injustice in the wizarding world has prompted fans to take the fight to the Muggle universe, the Los Angeles Times reports. Inspired by moral teachings of Albus Dumbledore, Harry’s mentor, the nonprofit Harry Potter Alliance has registered voters, collected some 13,000 books to...

UN Chief Meets Junta Leader in Burma
 UN Chief Meets 
 Junta Leader in Burma 
UPDATED
Jul 3, 2009 4:35 AM CDT

UN Chief Meets Junta Leader in Burma

Ban plans to press junta to release Suu Kyi and other political prisoners

(Newser) - Ban Ki-moon arrived in Burma today and is holding talks with the military junta to secure the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, the BBC reports. The UN secretary general told the Burmese generals that he wants "to contribute, to work together, for peace and prosperity"—but that...

Secret Envoy Paves Way for Burma Visit by UN Chief

Ban to press for Aung San Suu Kyi release

(Newser) - A UN special envoy began a secret trip to Burma today to pave the way for a possible visit by Ban Ki-moon, the secretary general, that would be politically delicate because of the continuing trial of imprisoned opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Human rights groups are urging Ban not...

In Myanmar, Soccer Offers Relief

But is it just an opiate for the masses?

(Newser) - Myanmar has had something to cheer about lately, the Wall Street Journal reports. In a country where gatherings of more than five people are officially illegal and free speech is nonexistent, the Myanmar National League has been drawing huge crowds of screaming fans. Launched in May, it’s the country’...

N. Korea Ship Sails Toward Sanctions Showdown

US Navy shadows ship suspected of smuggling arms to Myanmar

(Newser) - A North Korean ship the US Navy has been tailing is heading to Myanmar, and is about to become the first test of new UN sanctions against the Pyongyang regime, the New York Times reports. The US Navy suspects the Kang Nam is smuggling arms, and will search it if...

Protesters Worldwide Mark Suu Kyi's Birthday

Burmese activist remains on trial

(Newser) - Activists worldwide are marking the 64th birthday of Aung San Suu Kyi, the Burmese democracy activist who remains on trial for breaking the terms of her house arrest. The EU today called for her "unconditional release," and a group of celebrities ranging from Salman Rushdie to Julia Roberts...

Suu Kyi Forgives American for Intrusion

(Newser) - Aung San Suu Kyi feels no ill will toward the American who infiltrated her home in an act that could land her another 5 years of prison, the AP reports. “Suu Kyi said she bore no grudge against (John) Yettaw or his family,” her lawyer said after a...

Suu Kyi Lawyers 'Optimistic' as Trial Nears End

Verdict in pro-democracy leader's trial expected after closing arguments Monday

(Newser) - Aung San Suu Kyi's lawyers are optimistic about her case despite the fact only one defense witness has been allowed to testify, the Press Association reports. One of the lawyers for the Burmese pro-democracy leader said he was "very confident of victory if the trial is carried out according...

Obama Demands Suu Kyi Freedom

(Newser) - President Obama issued a sharply worded statement yesterday demanding the "immediate and unconditional" release of Burmese democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi, reports the BBC. Her "detention, isolation, and show trial based on spurious charges cast serious doubt on the Burmese regime's willingness to be a responsible member...

Suu Kyi Denies Breaking Law in Testimony

She hasn't yet met with her lawyers

(Newser) - Democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi took the stand in her own defense today to deny she broke the terms of her house arrest when she allowed an American trespasser to stay overnight, reports the BBC. Some diplomats and local journalists were allowed to attend today's session amid signs the...

Suu Kyi Pleads Not Guilty, Blames Regime's Security

(Newser) - Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi pleaded not guilty today to charges she violated terms of her house arrest, Reuters reports. She blamed the regime’s lax security for allowing an American to swim to her lakeside home. Asked if she was guilty, Suu Kyi answered, “no, because...

Yank: Suu Kyi Swim Spurred by 'Vision of Danger'

Yettaw hoped to post video on YouTube

(Newser) - The American who jeopardized Aung San Suu Kyi’s freedom by swimming to the lakeside home where she was under house arrest told the court yesterday he did so because he “had a vision” that Suu Kyi’s life was in danger, the Independent reports. John Yettaw planned to...

Burma Will Allow Diplomats to Visit Suu Kyi

Dictatorship also opens trial to media after global outcry

(Newser) - Burma's ruling junta will take the unusual step of allowing diplomats to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi, the opposition leader currently on trial, reports CNN. Officials from Russia, Singapore, and Thailand are expected to meet Suu Kyi later today. On the third day of the trial, the government allowed...

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