Suu Kyi Loses Appeal, Will Sit Out Election

(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 American guest, but supporters are considering lowering their longtime demands to procure her release. More»

Will meet with Aung San Suu Kyi today

(NEWSER) - Hillary Clinton had what she described as a “candid, productive” meeting with Burma President Thein Sein and other officials in Naypyitaw today, offering support for more aid to the country, and dangling the possibility that the US might lift sanctions and station an ambassador there for the first time in decades, Reuters reports. In exchange, Clinton urged the leadership to release political prisoners, end ethnic conflicts, stop its suspicious dealings with North Korea, and build on promised democratic reforms. More»

Landmark visit to be first in more than 50 years

(NEWSER) - Hillary Clinton arrived in Burma’s capital of Naypyidaw today, kicking off the first visit by a US secretary of state to the country in more than 50 years. Clinton says her goal is to see for herself how serious Burma’s junta is about its halting steps toward democratic reform, according to the AP . “We and many other nations are quite hopeful that these flickers of progress ... will be ignited into a movement for change,” she said. More»

Surprise permission may signal shift in Burmese junta

(NEWSER) - Burma's military rulers allowed Aung San Suu Kyi to meet with diplomats from the US, Britain and Australia today, an unexpected development that may reflect shifts in Western approaches to the regime. The hourlong meeting took place at a government guest house, after which she was returned to the home where she is serving another period of house arrest. The British ambassador said Suu Kyi, whose health had been in doubt, was "very healthy and very engaged." More»

(AP) - American John Yettaw boarded a flight home today, ending an infamous journey that began three months ago with a secret swim to the home of Aung San Suu Kyi that landed them both in prison. Suu Kyi, who repeatedly asked him to leave, and her two live-in aides, are still in custody. "It's very ugly that the person who caused the problem was released but the three people in the house remain detained," Suu Kyi said. More»