This is an unofficial translation of a statement from the NLD from 9 May, but which I have just received on some of the legal details of the case-
UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION
NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY
No 97/B West Shwegondaing Road
Bahan Township, Rangoon
May 20, 2009
The 12th waning moon of Kason, 1371 Burmese Era
Statement No 9/05/09
The leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD) and party General Secretary Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who was being detained at her residence at No 54 University Avenue, Bahan Township, Rangoon, and whose detention was about to expire on 27 May 2009, was again charged under Article 22 of the "Law to Safeguard the State Against the Dangers of Those Desiring to Cause Subversive Acts" and tried at a Special Court inside the compound of Insein Prison beginning from 18 May 2009.
On that day, lawyers for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi requested that the administration of justice be held in open court and within the local limits of whose jurisdiction where the crime was committed. But the court rejected the application.
Article 2(e) of the State Peace and Development Council Law No 5/2000 or The Judiciary Law, 2000, clearly states that "justice shall be dispensed in open court unless otherwise prohibited by law".
Furthermore, Section 177 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which was prepared and published in book form by the Union of Myanmar Supreme Court with regard to the jurisdiction of the courts in inquiries and trials, states that "Every offence shall ordinarily be inquired into and tried by a Court within the local limits of whose jurisdiction it was committed."
Section 352 of the same law also states that "The place in which any criminal Court is held for the purpose of inquiring into or trying any offense shall be deemed an open Court, to which the public generally may have access, so far as the same can conveniently contain them".
With regard to the conduct of courts, the ruling in "1940 Rangoon, Letter-122, Government vs U Khe Mein Pa - 2" states that "Should the court be held in a prison, the responsibility of supervising and making arrangements for the general public to have access to the court lies with the presiding judge and not the prison warden. Should the prison warden opine that security is at risk, he shall refuse the holding of court in the prison."
Likewise, the Myanmar Supreme Court judgment with regard to Union of Myanmar vs Maung Shwe (alias) Maung Shay Par-2, 1966, it is ruled on Page 616 that "justice should not only be done, but should manifestly be seen to be done".
Hence, the NLD hereby declares that it strongly objects to the judicial proceedings in the case against leader of the NLD and party General Secretary Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her companions since they do not conform to the abovementioned provisions and procedures, and demands that justice be dispensed in open court in a fair manner.
In accordance with the decision made by the Central Executive Committee and the Central Legal Assistance Committee at meetings held on 19 and 20 May 2009.
Central Executive Committee
National League for Democracy
Rangoon
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Aung San Suu Kyi statement
This is an unofficial translation of a statement given by Aung San Suu Kyi to the court on May 14, which was released by the NLD on Wednesday.
National League for Democracy
No. 97/b, West Shwegondine Street
Bahan Township, Rangoon
May 27, 2009
Statement No. 14/05/09
(Unofficial Translation)
The following is the complete text of what Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, leader and General Secretary of National League for Democracy submitted to the court according to the section 256 of the criminal code regarding the charge against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
"(Start)" 1. The case described above is the case reported by Lieutenant Colonel Zaw Min Aung from Police Special Branch to the Bahan Towhship Police Station on 11-5-2009 against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in accord with the article 22 of the 'Law to safeguard the State against the dangers of those desiring to cause subversive acts' and against Daw Khin Khin Win (f) U Tin Ohn, Ma Win Ma Ma (f) U Nyan Linn and Mr. John William Yettaw who helped her commit this crime in accord with criminal code section 109 of the article 22 of the above mentioned law.
2. I heard that Mr. John William Yettaw arrived at my house compound for the first time on 30-11-2009 from Daw Khin Khin Win who is staying together with me.
I reported this incident to the authorities through Dr. Tin Myo Win who came to my house for medical check up on 4-12-2008. Authorities did not come to me to inquire about that event. I have never heard any action of authorities against that event.
I have never been reminded to report authorities at once when some one intrudes into my house compound.
I found Mr. John William Yettaw arrived at my house compound for the second time in the morning of 4-5-2009. I told him to get out of my house compound. He told me that he would be arrested if he went out in day light so he would like to go back at night time. However, at night he requested me to allow him to stay overnight for health reason.
3. Now, a large number of my colleagues have been serving long prison terms without protection and leniency of law. Therefore, I allowed him temporary shelter due to my political concept of which I cannot force anybody into being arrested.
4. I don't care who the intruder is and what his intentions are. I just did according to my political concept. I intended to inform authorities about that intrusion on 7-5-2009 when Dr. Tin Myo Win visited me for monthly regular medical check up. However, only policemen came into my house on 7-5-2009 and Dr. Tin Myo Win was not allowed to come in.
5. When I handled incidents happened on 30th November, I carefully did it in order not to affect the intruder and soldiers who are responsible for security of my house compound, with concept of diminishing the unnecessary cases or problems. Regarding that case, it is assumed that authorities accept the way I handled it as they did not protest or criticize or do something for it.
When questioning a recalled prosecution witness, he testified that authorities and I are jointly responsible for the security of my house compound. It is totally not true.
6. I am accused of breaking the restrictions and prohibitions described in the article 22 of the 'Law to safeguard the State against the dangers of those desiring to cause subversive acts'
(a) It is very obvious that I did not breach any conditions according to the testified statements of the prosecution witnesses and evidence of the prohibitions.
(b) Prosecutors testified that restrictions (or) withdrawals of the rights were put according to the fundamental rights of the 1974 Constitution of the Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma. That constitution was collapsed or no longer viable since the very beginning day of the military coup d'état in 1988. It is not legal to put restrictions according to inactive constitution.
7. Although the real reason of this case is based on the lack of security or breach of security, no action is taken against the responsibility for the security but only I was taken charge. Therefore it is a biased action.
8. I testify that I did not commit any crime that the prosecutor accused me of. "(End)"
As per the decision of the joint meeting of the Central Executive Committee and Central Legal Assistance Team,
Central Executive Committee
National League for Democracy
Rangoon
National League for Democracy
No. 97/b, West Shwegondine Street
Bahan Township, Rangoon
May 27, 2009
Statement No. 14/05/09
(Unofficial Translation)
The following is the complete text of what Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, leader and General Secretary of National League for Democracy submitted to the court according to the section 256 of the criminal code regarding the charge against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
"(Start)" 1. The case described above is the case reported by Lieutenant Colonel Zaw Min Aung from Police Special Branch to the Bahan Towhship Police Station on 11-5-2009 against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in accord with the article 22 of the 'Law to safeguard the State against the dangers of those desiring to cause subversive acts' and against Daw Khin Khin Win (f) U Tin Ohn, Ma Win Ma Ma (f) U Nyan Linn and Mr. John William Yettaw who helped her commit this crime in accord with criminal code section 109 of the article 22 of the above mentioned law.
2. I heard that Mr. John William Yettaw arrived at my house compound for the first time on 30-11-2009 from Daw Khin Khin Win who is staying together with me.
I reported this incident to the authorities through Dr. Tin Myo Win who came to my house for medical check up on 4-12-2008. Authorities did not come to me to inquire about that event. I have never heard any action of authorities against that event.
I have never been reminded to report authorities at once when some one intrudes into my house compound.
I found Mr. John William Yettaw arrived at my house compound for the second time in the morning of 4-5-2009. I told him to get out of my house compound. He told me that he would be arrested if he went out in day light so he would like to go back at night time. However, at night he requested me to allow him to stay overnight for health reason.
3. Now, a large number of my colleagues have been serving long prison terms without protection and leniency of law. Therefore, I allowed him temporary shelter due to my political concept of which I cannot force anybody into being arrested.
4. I don't care who the intruder is and what his intentions are. I just did according to my political concept. I intended to inform authorities about that intrusion on 7-5-2009 when Dr. Tin Myo Win visited me for monthly regular medical check up. However, only policemen came into my house on 7-5-2009 and Dr. Tin Myo Win was not allowed to come in.
5. When I handled incidents happened on 30th November, I carefully did it in order not to affect the intruder and soldiers who are responsible for security of my house compound, with concept of diminishing the unnecessary cases or problems. Regarding that case, it is assumed that authorities accept the way I handled it as they did not protest or criticize or do something for it.
When questioning a recalled prosecution witness, he testified that authorities and I are jointly responsible for the security of my house compound. It is totally not true.
6. I am accused of breaking the restrictions and prohibitions described in the article 22 of the 'Law to safeguard the State against the dangers of those desiring to cause subversive acts'
(a) It is very obvious that I did not breach any conditions according to the testified statements of the prosecution witnesses and evidence of the prohibitions.
(b) Prosecutors testified that restrictions (or) withdrawals of the rights were put according to the fundamental rights of the 1974 Constitution of the Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma. That constitution was collapsed or no longer viable since the very beginning day of the military coup d'état in 1988. It is not legal to put restrictions according to inactive constitution.
7. Although the real reason of this case is based on the lack of security or breach of security, no action is taken against the responsibility for the security but only I was taken charge. Therefore it is a biased action.
8. I testify that I did not commit any crime that the prosecutor accused me of. "(End)"
As per the decision of the joint meeting of the Central Executive Committee and Central Legal Assistance Team,
Central Executive Committee
National League for Democracy
Rangoon
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Obama statement
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary_______________________________________________________________________________________FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 26, 2009
Statement by the President on Aung San Suu Kyi’s House Arrest and DetentionI call on the Burmese government to release National League for Democracy Secretary General and Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi from detention immediately and unconditionally.
I strongly condemn her house arrest and detention, which have also been condemned around the world. The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has issued opinions affirming that the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi dating back to 2003 is arbitrary, unjustified, and in contravention of Burma’s own law, and the United Nations Security Council reaffirmed on May 22 their concern about the situation and called for the release of all political prisoners.
Aung San Suu Kyi’s continued detention, isolation, and show trial based on spurious charges cast serious doubt on the Burmese regime’s willingness to be a responsible member of the international community. This is an important opportunity for the government in Burma to demonstrate that it respects its own laws and its own people, is ready to work with the National League for Democracy and other ethnic and opposition groups, and is prepared to move toward reconciliation.
By her actions, Aung San Suu Kyi has represented profound patriotism, sacrifice, and the vision of a democratic and prosperous Burma. It is time for the Burmese government to drop all charges against Aung San Suu Kyi and unconditionally release her and her fellow political prisoners.
Such an action would be an affirmative and significant step on Burma’s part to begin to restore its standing in the eyes of the United States and the world community and to move toward a better future for its people.
Office of the Press Secretary_______________________________________________________________________________________FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 26, 2009
Statement by the President on Aung San Suu Kyi’s House Arrest and DetentionI call on the Burmese government to release National League for Democracy Secretary General and Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi from detention immediately and unconditionally.
I strongly condemn her house arrest and detention, which have also been condemned around the world. The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has issued opinions affirming that the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi dating back to 2003 is arbitrary, unjustified, and in contravention of Burma’s own law, and the United Nations Security Council reaffirmed on May 22 their concern about the situation and called for the release of all political prisoners.
Aung San Suu Kyi’s continued detention, isolation, and show trial based on spurious charges cast serious doubt on the Burmese regime’s willingness to be a responsible member of the international community. This is an important opportunity for the government in Burma to demonstrate that it respects its own laws and its own people, is ready to work with the National League for Democracy and other ethnic and opposition groups, and is prepared to move toward reconciliation.
By her actions, Aung San Suu Kyi has represented profound patriotism, sacrifice, and the vision of a democratic and prosperous Burma. It is time for the Burmese government to drop all charges against Aung San Suu Kyi and unconditionally release her and her fellow political prisoners.
Such an action would be an affirmative and significant step on Burma’s part to begin to restore its standing in the eyes of the United States and the world community and to move toward a better future for its people.
Trial is illegal: counsel
This is a statement from Aung San Suu Kyi's legal counsel in the US, Jared Genser, detailing why Aung San Suu Kyi's trial is illegal under international as well as Burmese law-
According to news reports (e.g., below), Burmese Police Brigadier General Myint Thein claimed to journalists and diplomats attending DASSK's trial today that it could place her back under house arrest for an additional six months under Burmese law.
Helpfully, this claim has already been considered and rejected by the UNWorking Group on Arbitrary Detention, which is part of the UN Human Rights Council. See Opinion 46/2008, attached and excerpted here (above).
First, the UN concluded that the maximum a person can be held underBurma's State Protection Law is five years, not six years:"A plain reading of the 1975 State Protection Law clearly shows thatsuch extensions were only permissible until late May 2008 . . .Therefore the most recent extension on 28 May 2008 amounts to a primaefacie violation of the Union of Myanmar's own laws" (Paragraph 13).
And second, even if it hadn't reached the first conclusion, the UN also prospectively considered the junta's argument that the order restraining Ms. Suu Kyi was only issued on 28 November 2003 and that it might suggest it could keep her under house arrest an extra six months:"Nevertheless, even if such an argument were made, it would be invalid. The 1975 State Protection Law is unclear as to whether detention begins when a person is arrested or the moment that an order is issued. The act defines 'commit,' 'central board', and 'person against whom actions is taken' but not 'detain.'
It would be inconsistent with basic principles of rule of law for a detention to begin only when an order isissued under this law and not when a person's liberty or freedom of movement is restricted. Ms. Suu Kyi's movement has been forcibly restricted . . . since 30 May 2003, and [she] was due to be released, inaccordance with domestic law, no later than 30 May 2008" (Paragraph 14).
According to news reports (e.g., below), Burmese Police Brigadier General Myint Thein claimed to journalists and diplomats attending DASSK's trial today that it could place her back under house arrest for an additional six months under Burmese law.
Helpfully, this claim has already been considered and rejected by the UNWorking Group on Arbitrary Detention, which is part of the UN Human Rights Council. See Opinion 46/2008, attached and excerpted here (above).
First, the UN concluded that the maximum a person can be held underBurma's State Protection Law is five years, not six years:"A plain reading of the 1975 State Protection Law clearly shows thatsuch extensions were only permissible until late May 2008 . . .Therefore the most recent extension on 28 May 2008 amounts to a primaefacie violation of the Union of Myanmar's own laws" (Paragraph 13).
And second, even if it hadn't reached the first conclusion, the UN also prospectively considered the junta's argument that the order restraining Ms. Suu Kyi was only issued on 28 November 2003 and that it might suggest it could keep her under house arrest an extra six months:"Nevertheless, even if such an argument were made, it would be invalid. The 1975 State Protection Law is unclear as to whether detention begins when a person is arrested or the moment that an order is issued. The act defines 'commit,' 'central board', and 'person against whom actions is taken' but not 'detain.'
It would be inconsistent with basic principles of rule of law for a detention to begin only when an order isissued under this law and not when a person's liberty or freedom of movement is restricted. Ms. Suu Kyi's movement has been forcibly restricted . . . since 30 May 2003, and [she] was due to be released, inaccordance with domestic law, no later than 30 May 2008" (Paragraph 14).
Aung San Suu Kyi testifies
From the Washington Post-
May 26, 2009
Washington Post: Obama Calls for Release of Aung San Suu Kyi
By Glenn Kessler
Making his first statement on the trial of Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, President Obama issued a stern statement late Tuesday calling on the Burmese government to release her "immediately and unconditionally.
"Burma's military government on Tuesday announced that it officially ended the six-year house arrest of Suu Kyi, the opposition leader and democracy advocate, but she remains in prison while awaiting the outcome of her trial for breach of the terms of her detention. Suu Kyi, who is accused of allowing a U.S. citizen who swam to her lakeside house to spend the night there, took the stand Tuesday and denied the charges against her.
She said she gave only "temporary shelter" to John W. Yettaw, 53, of Falcon, Mo.; she faces a term of possibly three to five years.Obama, in his statement, strongly condemned her most arrest and detention, saying it was "arbitrary, unjustified, and in contravention of Burma's own law." Suu Kyi has spent 13 of the last 19 years under detention, ever since her party won a landslide victory that the military never accepted.
The Obama administration has been conducting a high-profile review of policy toward Burma, including the effectiveness of sanctions. But the sudden trial of Suu Kyi, just as her detention was set to end, has instead inspired calls for increased sanctions."Suu Kyi's continued detention, isolation, and show trial based on spurious charges cast serious doubt on the Burmese regime's willingness to be a responsible member of the international community," Obama said, adding the government had "an important opportunity... to demonstrate that it respects its own laws and its own people."
One of Suu Kyi's lawyers had to deal with another possible legal entanglement Tuesday -- a lawsuit filed by Suu Kyi's estranged brother seeking ownership of her home, left to her by their mother. If the court rules against Suu Kyi and takes away her home, then the government could claim that she can no longer serve in home detention and must remain in prison.
May 26, 2009
Washington Post: Obama Calls for Release of Aung San Suu Kyi
By Glenn Kessler
Making his first statement on the trial of Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, President Obama issued a stern statement late Tuesday calling on the Burmese government to release her "immediately and unconditionally.
"Burma's military government on Tuesday announced that it officially ended the six-year house arrest of Suu Kyi, the opposition leader and democracy advocate, but she remains in prison while awaiting the outcome of her trial for breach of the terms of her detention. Suu Kyi, who is accused of allowing a U.S. citizen who swam to her lakeside house to spend the night there, took the stand Tuesday and denied the charges against her.
She said she gave only "temporary shelter" to John W. Yettaw, 53, of Falcon, Mo.; she faces a term of possibly three to five years.Obama, in his statement, strongly condemned her most arrest and detention, saying it was "arbitrary, unjustified, and in contravention of Burma's own law." Suu Kyi has spent 13 of the last 19 years under detention, ever since her party won a landslide victory that the military never accepted.
The Obama administration has been conducting a high-profile review of policy toward Burma, including the effectiveness of sanctions. But the sudden trial of Suu Kyi, just as her detention was set to end, has instead inspired calls for increased sanctions."Suu Kyi's continued detention, isolation, and show trial based on spurious charges cast serious doubt on the Burmese regime's willingness to be a responsible member of the international community," Obama said, adding the government had "an important opportunity... to demonstrate that it respects its own laws and its own people."
One of Suu Kyi's lawyers had to deal with another possible legal entanglement Tuesday -- a lawsuit filed by Suu Kyi's estranged brother seeking ownership of her home, left to her by their mother. If the court rules against Suu Kyi and takes away her home, then the government could claim that she can no longer serve in home detention and must remain in prison.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Junta lashes out
From AP-
Democracy icon's trial deepens Myanmar's isolation
1 hour ago
YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — The trial of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi resumed Monday as Myanmar lashed out against Thailand — one of its few supporters in an international community likely to halt recent moves to improve relations with the country's military rulers.
Suu Kyi, due to testify this week, is widely expected to be found guilty for allegedly harboring an American who swam across a lake to her residence. She faces up to five years in prison.
A list of four or five defense witnesses will be submitted to the court and statements from remaining prosecution witnesses are to be heard at Monday's session inside Yangon's security-ringed Insein prison, said Nyan Win, a spokesman for Suu Kyi's political party.
Already bombarded by criticism from Western nations, the junta turned on neighboring Thailand, a partner in the 10-nation Association of Southeast Nation, or ASEAN, accusing its neighbor of violating the bloc's principle by interfering in Myanmar's internal affairs.
Thailand, the grouping's current chairman, last week expressed "grave concern" over the trial, saying "the honor and the credibility of the (Myanmar government) are at stake."
A statement from Myanmar issued Monday responded: "It is sadly noted that (Thailand) failed to preserve the dignity of ASEAN, the dignity of Myanmar and the dignity of Thailand."
Suu Kyi, who has been in detention without trial for more than 13 of the past 19 years, is being tried on charges of violating the terms of her house arrest after the uninvited American, John W. Yettaw, swam to her home earlier this month and stayed for two days. Suu Kyi pleaded not guilty Friday.
But Myanmar's courts operate under the influence of the ruling military, and almost always deal harshly with political dissidents.
The charges against her are widely seen as a pretext for the government to keep her detained during polls it has scheduled for next year as the culmination of its "roadmap to democracy," which has been criticized as a fig leaf for continued military rule. She was due to have been released from her latest term of house arrest this Wednesday.
The trial comes weeks after the European Union announced it was stepping up humanitarian aid to the impoverished country, also known as Burma, and the United States said it was reviewing its policy — including speculation that it might soften sanctions the regime says have crippled its economy.
But now the European Union is talking of introducing tougher sanctions in response to the trial and the administration of President Barack Obama has announced it will continue its economic penalties. Obama extended a state of emergency against the country after Suu Kyi's arrest. Sanctions would have expired had the emergency order not been extended.
EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner, in Bangkok on her way to the ASEAN-EU foreign ministers meeting in Hanoi, Monday called on China and India to push for democratic change in Myanmar and welcomed ASEAN's unprecedented criticism of Myanmar.
"This was a remarkable statement. At the moment when we all hoped to see Aung San Suu Kyi released she is imprisoned again. That was of course a big negative surprise to the international community," she told reporters.
Sean Turnell, a Myanmar expert at Australia's Macquarie University, said the timing of the trial shows the junta "never misses an opportunity to miss an opportunity."
"I think there was, prior to these latest events, a strong likelihood that the U.S. and Europe positions on Burma may have softened, and that some sanctions may even have been on the table" for review, Turnell said in an e-mail interview. "The regime have now shot themselves in the foot so to speak — and anything like this would seem to be decidedly off the table now."
David Steinberg, a Myanmar specialist at Georgetown University in Washington, said there had been talk of "small steps toward easing relations" within the Obama administration. But he said a guilty verdict makes increased engagement with the ruling generals unlikely for now.
"I think they wanted to make some overtures, but this will make it far more difficult," Steinberg said of the Obama administration. "The junta needed to respond significantly as well at each step, and this would set it back."
Donors may also be less willing to fund a three-year, $700 million rebuilding plan for the Irrawaddy delta, which was devastated by a cyclone last year that killed more than 138,000 people.
No one expects a guilty verdict to spark an uprising in Myanmar against the junta after its bloody suppression of pro-democracy demonstrations in 2007, which killed at least 31 people. Hundreds more activists were sentenced to lengthy prison sentences.
Democracy icon's trial deepens Myanmar's isolation
1 hour ago
YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — The trial of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi resumed Monday as Myanmar lashed out against Thailand — one of its few supporters in an international community likely to halt recent moves to improve relations with the country's military rulers.
Suu Kyi, due to testify this week, is widely expected to be found guilty for allegedly harboring an American who swam across a lake to her residence. She faces up to five years in prison.
A list of four or five defense witnesses will be submitted to the court and statements from remaining prosecution witnesses are to be heard at Monday's session inside Yangon's security-ringed Insein prison, said Nyan Win, a spokesman for Suu Kyi's political party.
Already bombarded by criticism from Western nations, the junta turned on neighboring Thailand, a partner in the 10-nation Association of Southeast Nation, or ASEAN, accusing its neighbor of violating the bloc's principle by interfering in Myanmar's internal affairs.
Thailand, the grouping's current chairman, last week expressed "grave concern" over the trial, saying "the honor and the credibility of the (Myanmar government) are at stake."
A statement from Myanmar issued Monday responded: "It is sadly noted that (Thailand) failed to preserve the dignity of ASEAN, the dignity of Myanmar and the dignity of Thailand."
Suu Kyi, who has been in detention without trial for more than 13 of the past 19 years, is being tried on charges of violating the terms of her house arrest after the uninvited American, John W. Yettaw, swam to her home earlier this month and stayed for two days. Suu Kyi pleaded not guilty Friday.
But Myanmar's courts operate under the influence of the ruling military, and almost always deal harshly with political dissidents.
The charges against her are widely seen as a pretext for the government to keep her detained during polls it has scheduled for next year as the culmination of its "roadmap to democracy," which has been criticized as a fig leaf for continued military rule. She was due to have been released from her latest term of house arrest this Wednesday.
The trial comes weeks after the European Union announced it was stepping up humanitarian aid to the impoverished country, also known as Burma, and the United States said it was reviewing its policy — including speculation that it might soften sanctions the regime says have crippled its economy.
But now the European Union is talking of introducing tougher sanctions in response to the trial and the administration of President Barack Obama has announced it will continue its economic penalties. Obama extended a state of emergency against the country after Suu Kyi's arrest. Sanctions would have expired had the emergency order not been extended.
EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner, in Bangkok on her way to the ASEAN-EU foreign ministers meeting in Hanoi, Monday called on China and India to push for democratic change in Myanmar and welcomed ASEAN's unprecedented criticism of Myanmar.
"This was a remarkable statement. At the moment when we all hoped to see Aung San Suu Kyi released she is imprisoned again. That was of course a big negative surprise to the international community," she told reporters.
Sean Turnell, a Myanmar expert at Australia's Macquarie University, said the timing of the trial shows the junta "never misses an opportunity to miss an opportunity."
"I think there was, prior to these latest events, a strong likelihood that the U.S. and Europe positions on Burma may have softened, and that some sanctions may even have been on the table" for review, Turnell said in an e-mail interview. "The regime have now shot themselves in the foot so to speak — and anything like this would seem to be decidedly off the table now."
David Steinberg, a Myanmar specialist at Georgetown University in Washington, said there had been talk of "small steps toward easing relations" within the Obama administration. But he said a guilty verdict makes increased engagement with the ruling generals unlikely for now.
"I think they wanted to make some overtures, but this will make it far more difficult," Steinberg said of the Obama administration. "The junta needed to respond significantly as well at each step, and this would set it back."
Donors may also be less willing to fund a three-year, $700 million rebuilding plan for the Irrawaddy delta, which was devastated by a cyclone last year that killed more than 138,000 people.
No one expects a guilty verdict to spark an uprising in Myanmar against the junta after its bloody suppression of pro-democracy demonstrations in 2007, which killed at least 31 people. Hundreds more activists were sentenced to lengthy prison sentences.
China, Russia blocking action
From the Democratic Voice of Burma-
China and Russia veto ‘denies’ Burma progress
May 25, 2009 (DVB)–China and Russia’s power of veto in the United Nations Security Council has impeded pressure on progress towards democracy in Burma, said an exiled government official reacting to a UN statement on Burma last week.
On Thursday the UN Security Council (UNSG) released a press statement “expressing concern about the political impact of recent developments relating to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi”.
The statement was read out by the current UNSG president, Vitaly Churkin of Russia.
Russia currently holds the revolving chair of the UNSG.
Critics of the Burmese government, who hold close ties with Russia, have said that the statement is rhetorically too soft in its demand for Suu Kyi’s release.
“We all have seen Russia, throughout time, clinging onto a belief that human rights violations and other issues about Burma are not the Security Council’s concern,” said Dr Thaung Htun, National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma’s (NCGUB) representative to the UN.
The NCGUB is coalition of Burmese political parties, including Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy, based in the United States.
“Our…agenda regarding Burma is not reaching point (sic.) it is supposed to due to denial by China and Russia; the two nations that hold veto power whenever it comes to that,” he said.
China, a key trading partner with Burma and widely regarded as the ruling junta’s closest ally, has so far refused to intervene in the Suu Kyi trial.
“[Burma’s] issue should be decided by the people of [Burma],” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu last week.
Thaung Htun added that he was still waiting for the UNSG to come up with a “solid decision” regarding Suu Kyi’s trial.
Reporting by Htet Aung Kyaw
China and Russia veto ‘denies’ Burma progress
May 25, 2009 (DVB)–China and Russia’s power of veto in the United Nations Security Council has impeded pressure on progress towards democracy in Burma, said an exiled government official reacting to a UN statement on Burma last week.
On Thursday the UN Security Council (UNSG) released a press statement “expressing concern about the political impact of recent developments relating to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi”.
The statement was read out by the current UNSG president, Vitaly Churkin of Russia.
Russia currently holds the revolving chair of the UNSG.
Critics of the Burmese government, who hold close ties with Russia, have said that the statement is rhetorically too soft in its demand for Suu Kyi’s release.
“We all have seen Russia, throughout time, clinging onto a belief that human rights violations and other issues about Burma are not the Security Council’s concern,” said Dr Thaung Htun, National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma’s (NCGUB) representative to the UN.
The NCGUB is coalition of Burmese political parties, including Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy, based in the United States.
“Our…agenda regarding Burma is not reaching point (sic.) it is supposed to due to denial by China and Russia; the two nations that hold veto power whenever it comes to that,” he said.
China, a key trading partner with Burma and widely regarded as the ruling junta’s closest ally, has so far refused to intervene in the Suu Kyi trial.
“[Burma’s] issue should be decided by the people of [Burma],” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu last week.
Thaung Htun added that he was still waiting for the UNSG to come up with a “solid decision” regarding Suu Kyi’s trial.
Reporting by Htet Aung Kyaw
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Upbeat view on UNSC statement
From Voice of America-
This piece seems more upbeat on the UNSC than this blogger - see comments on the last post. I think she's missing the point. Its about what this statement doesn't say that's important.
UN Security Council Urges Burma to Release All Political Prisoners
By Margaret Besheer The United Nations
22 May 2009
UN Security Council, (file photo)The U.N. Security Council has called for the release of all political prisoners in Burma, including opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, and expressed its concern over her recent trial.
In a unanimous statement, the 15-council members expressed their concern about the "political impact" of the trial of Aung San Suu Kyi charging her with violating the terms of her house arrest.The council also repeated its call for the release of all political prisoners in Burma - which is also known as Myanmar. The council also called on Burma's military regime to create the necessary conditions for a genuine dialogue with all concerned parties and ethnic groups to achieve an inclusive national reconciliation.
John Sawers, the United Kingdom's Ambassador to the UN, (File)British Ambassador John Sawers said it is "inconceivable" that Aung San Suu Kyi's trial and imprisonment could in anyway contribute to achieving a genuine national reconciliation.
"It is inconceivable that the trial and imprisonment of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi could in anyway contribute to that. She is the most prominent of the opposition leaders in Myanmar and she heads the party which won the only credible elections in recent memory in Myanmar, and the regime needs to come to terms with that. They are failing to do so," he said.
He said the council's unanimous call for the release of all political prisoners is very pointed, especially when the most prominent of all those prisoners - Aung San Suu Kyi - is on trial on charges which he said "stand no credibility."
U.S. envoy Rosemary DiCarlo said the council needed to speak with one voice on this issue and it did, saying countries which do not normally want to comment on this issue did. Russia and China are two prominent council members that are close to Burma's leadership and often avoid criticizing it.
Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has pleaded not guilty to charges that she violated the terms of her house arrest.
The charges stem from an incident earlier this month in which an American man swam to her lakeside residence and stayed there for two days. Her lawyers say she asked him to leave, but that he was too exhausted and ill to swim back.Critics say Burma's military leaders want to keep the pro-democracy leader in detention and away from next year's elections.
The Nobel Prize laureate has been under house arrest for 13 of the past 19 years. With these new charges she could face another five-year detention term.
This piece seems more upbeat on the UNSC than this blogger - see comments on the last post. I think she's missing the point. Its about what this statement doesn't say that's important.
UN Security Council Urges Burma to Release All Political Prisoners
By Margaret Besheer The United Nations
22 May 2009
UN Security Council, (file photo)The U.N. Security Council has called for the release of all political prisoners in Burma, including opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, and expressed its concern over her recent trial.
In a unanimous statement, the 15-council members expressed their concern about the "political impact" of the trial of Aung San Suu Kyi charging her with violating the terms of her house arrest.The council also repeated its call for the release of all political prisoners in Burma - which is also known as Myanmar. The council also called on Burma's military regime to create the necessary conditions for a genuine dialogue with all concerned parties and ethnic groups to achieve an inclusive national reconciliation.
John Sawers, the United Kingdom's Ambassador to the UN, (File)British Ambassador John Sawers said it is "inconceivable" that Aung San Suu Kyi's trial and imprisonment could in anyway contribute to achieving a genuine national reconciliation.
"It is inconceivable that the trial and imprisonment of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi could in anyway contribute to that. She is the most prominent of the opposition leaders in Myanmar and she heads the party which won the only credible elections in recent memory in Myanmar, and the regime needs to come to terms with that. They are failing to do so," he said.
He said the council's unanimous call for the release of all political prisoners is very pointed, especially when the most prominent of all those prisoners - Aung San Suu Kyi - is on trial on charges which he said "stand no credibility."
U.S. envoy Rosemary DiCarlo said the council needed to speak with one voice on this issue and it did, saying countries which do not normally want to comment on this issue did. Russia and China are two prominent council members that are close to Burma's leadership and often avoid criticizing it.
Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has pleaded not guilty to charges that she violated the terms of her house arrest.
The charges stem from an incident earlier this month in which an American man swam to her lakeside residence and stayed there for two days. Her lawyers say she asked him to leave, but that he was too exhausted and ill to swim back.Critics say Burma's military leaders want to keep the pro-democracy leader in detention and away from next year's elections.
The Nobel Prize laureate has been under house arrest for 13 of the past 19 years. With these new charges she could face another five-year detention term.
China wins in UNSC
From the United Nations Security Council (press statement)-
This statement should be seen in light of the unwillingness of Russia and China to call specifically for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi. As noted in a previous Breaking News post on this site, China is known behind the scenes to have been digging in its heels on this point. Clearly, its a victory for Beijing. Looks like the UNSC bought unity at the price of detail, perhaps, some might say, at the price of substance.
Another issue worth thinking about is how are political prisoners defined? In the event of some sort of amnesty, who has the final say about who is released and who is not?
SECURITY COUNCIL PRESS STATEMENT ON MYANMAR
The following Security Council press statement on Myanmar was read out today by Council President Vitaly Churkin ( Russian Federation):
The members of the Security Council express their concern about the political impact of recent developments relating to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
The members of the Security Council reaffirm, in this context, their statements of 11 October 2007 and 2 May 2008 and, in this regard, reiterate the importance of the release of all political prisoners.
The members of the Security Council reiterate the need for the Government of Myanmar to create the necessary conditions for a genuine dialogue with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all concerned parties and ethnic groups in order to achieve an inclusive national reconciliation with the support of the United Nations.
The members of the Security Council affirm their commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Myanmar and, in that context, reiterate that the future of Myanmar lies in the hands of all of its people.
This statement should be seen in light of the unwillingness of Russia and China to call specifically for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi. As noted in a previous Breaking News post on this site, China is known behind the scenes to have been digging in its heels on this point. Clearly, its a victory for Beijing. Looks like the UNSC bought unity at the price of detail, perhaps, some might say, at the price of substance.
Another issue worth thinking about is how are political prisoners defined? In the event of some sort of amnesty, who has the final say about who is released and who is not?
SECURITY COUNCIL PRESS STATEMENT ON MYANMAR
The following Security Council press statement on Myanmar was read out today by Council President Vitaly Churkin ( Russian Federation):
The members of the Security Council express their concern about the political impact of recent developments relating to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
The members of the Security Council reaffirm, in this context, their statements of 11 October 2007 and 2 May 2008 and, in this regard, reiterate the importance of the release of all political prisoners.
The members of the Security Council reiterate the need for the Government of Myanmar to create the necessary conditions for a genuine dialogue with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all concerned parties and ethnic groups in order to achieve an inclusive national reconciliation with the support of the United Nations.
The members of the Security Council affirm their commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Myanmar and, in that context, reiterate that the future of Myanmar lies in the hands of all of its people.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Regime's plot theory, Japan's concerns
From Mizzima-
Junta denies framing case against Suu Kyi
by Mizzima News
Friday, 22 May 2009 15:26
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Burma's Foreign Minister, Nyan Win, has denied allegations that the regime has framed its case against Aung San Suu Kyi, arguing instead that it was the synchronized foul play of the opposition forces that has resulted in the current trial.
"We are trying to restore constructive engagement with the outside world, including the U.S., Japan and E.U. At this crucial time, some opposition forces at home and abroad might try to sabotage and derail this work of constructive engagement with the international community with an intention of bringing back international pressure on Myanmar [Burma]. This [the situation surrounding the trial] may be the synchronized foul play of these elements," the state-run New Light of Myanmar reported today in citing the Foreign Minister.
It was the junta's first public announcement denying allegations of framing the case against Aung San Suu Kyi with the intention of prolonging her detention and barring her from contesting the upcoming 2010 election. Additionally, according to the paper, Nyan Win and his Japanese counterpart, Foreign Minister Hiro Fumi Nakasone, talked over the phone on May 18th, the first day of Aung San Suu Kyi's court hearing.
The paper reported that the Japanese Foreign Minister expressed his worries over Aung San Suu Kyi's trial, saying he was concerned over the successful holding of the 2010 general election and the negative effect on the junta's image that this case may have in the international community.
"Though it is the judicial process of Burma, we urge you to take into consideration the opinions of the international community and to take action in a more appropriate way," Nakasone reportedly told Nyan Win according to the state-run daily. "Moreover, it is a crucial time for the transition to democracy in Burma, so that this democratization process should be made respectable to the international community too".
Aung San Suu Kyi’s present term of house arrest is set to expire on May 27th, after six consecutive years of detention, and cannot again be extended according to existing Burmese law.The New Light of Myanmar added that Nyan Win gave his assurances that the trial would be conducted within the framework of the law.
Junta denies framing case against Suu Kyi
by Mizzima News
Friday, 22 May 2009 15:26
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Burma's Foreign Minister, Nyan Win, has denied allegations that the regime has framed its case against Aung San Suu Kyi, arguing instead that it was the synchronized foul play of the opposition forces that has resulted in the current trial.
"We are trying to restore constructive engagement with the outside world, including the U.S., Japan and E.U. At this crucial time, some opposition forces at home and abroad might try to sabotage and derail this work of constructive engagement with the international community with an intention of bringing back international pressure on Myanmar [Burma]. This [the situation surrounding the trial] may be the synchronized foul play of these elements," the state-run New Light of Myanmar reported today in citing the Foreign Minister.
It was the junta's first public announcement denying allegations of framing the case against Aung San Suu Kyi with the intention of prolonging her detention and barring her from contesting the upcoming 2010 election. Additionally, according to the paper, Nyan Win and his Japanese counterpart, Foreign Minister Hiro Fumi Nakasone, talked over the phone on May 18th, the first day of Aung San Suu Kyi's court hearing.
The paper reported that the Japanese Foreign Minister expressed his worries over Aung San Suu Kyi's trial, saying he was concerned over the successful holding of the 2010 general election and the negative effect on the junta's image that this case may have in the international community.
"Though it is the judicial process of Burma, we urge you to take into consideration the opinions of the international community and to take action in a more appropriate way," Nakasone reportedly told Nyan Win according to the state-run daily. "Moreover, it is a crucial time for the transition to democracy in Burma, so that this democratization process should be made respectable to the international community too".
Aung San Suu Kyi’s present term of house arrest is set to expire on May 27th, after six consecutive years of detention, and cannot again be extended according to existing Burmese law.The New Light of Myanmar added that Nyan Win gave his assurances that the trial would be conducted within the framework of the law.
US Senate passes resolution
From Michele Bohana-
Press Release: Sen. McConnell - Senate Passes Burma Resolution
It appears the Burmese regime will do anything to consolidate its grip on power
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following statement on Thursday on passage of a Senate Resolution on Burma, which condemns the actions of the Burmese State Peace and Development Council against Aung San Suu Kyi and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Suu Kyi:“This resolution reflects the United States Senate’s unequivocal condemnation of the show trial currently being conducted by Burmese officials against Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
“It is bad enough that Suu Kyi has been imprisoned for 13 of the past 19 years. Now the Burmese regime, the State Peace and Development Council, has come up with the flimsiest of pretexts to try to detain her further. It appears the Burmese regime will do anything to consolidate its grip on power. “One suspects that the regime wants Suu Kyi behind bars at least until elections under its sham constitution are held in 2010.
“I am gratified that this resolution reflects the strong, bipartisan view of the Senate on this matter. This resolution, which was authored by Senator Gregg, is cosponsored by Senators Feinstein, Durbin, McCain, Brownback, Lieberman, Collins, Bennett, Bond and me. It is also cosponsored by the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senators Kerry and Lugar.
A clearer signal from this chamber about Suu Kyi could hardly be sent.“As I noted earlier in the week, the members of the Senate have been and will continue to monitor the trial of Suu Kyi with deep concern.”
Press Release: Sen. McConnell - Senate Passes Burma Resolution
It appears the Burmese regime will do anything to consolidate its grip on power
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following statement on Thursday on passage of a Senate Resolution on Burma, which condemns the actions of the Burmese State Peace and Development Council against Aung San Suu Kyi and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Suu Kyi:“This resolution reflects the United States Senate’s unequivocal condemnation of the show trial currently being conducted by Burmese officials against Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
“It is bad enough that Suu Kyi has been imprisoned for 13 of the past 19 years. Now the Burmese regime, the State Peace and Development Council, has come up with the flimsiest of pretexts to try to detain her further. It appears the Burmese regime will do anything to consolidate its grip on power. “One suspects that the regime wants Suu Kyi behind bars at least until elections under its sham constitution are held in 2010.
“I am gratified that this resolution reflects the strong, bipartisan view of the Senate on this matter. This resolution, which was authored by Senator Gregg, is cosponsored by Senators Feinstein, Durbin, McCain, Brownback, Lieberman, Collins, Bennett, Bond and me. It is also cosponsored by the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senators Kerry and Lugar.
A clearer signal from this chamber about Suu Kyi could hardly be sent.“As I noted earlier in the week, the members of the Senate have been and will continue to monitor the trial of Suu Kyi with deep concern.”
Yettaw her boyfriend says SPDC official
From Earthtimes-
Hong Kong - Myanmar's consulate in Hong Kong on Friday posted a mocking online message suggesting the US national caught visiting detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi might have been a "boy friend."The message, headed Secret Agent or Boy Friend?, was posted on the consulate's website and signed by the consulate general of the Union of Myanmar.
"Dear readers," it said. "Some of our friends inquired about an American, who swam into the Inya Lake, who secretly visited Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's house. Their question is why he swam to her and what they discussed within his stay at her house.
"Dear friends. Frankly, we have no idea whether he is either secret agent or her boy friend at this moment. We shall try to learn it and tell you later."
The message was posted at a time when Suu Kyi is on trial at Yangon's Insein Prison over the mysterious visit by John Yettaw, who is accused of swimming across the lake May 3 to her house.
Suu Kyi's attorney said Yettaw was uninvited, but Sui Kyi was arrested for allegedly breaching the terms of her house arrest by allowing Yettaw to stay until May 6.
Her trial, which began Monday, has been condemned internationally as a ploy to keep the opposition leader detained. The 1991 Nobel Peace Prize laureate has been detained for 13 of the past 19 years, and her latest six years under detention is due to expire Wednesday.
It is not known who wrote the message about Suu Kyi on the consulate's website, but it was suspected to be the work of Myanmar's controversial consul general to Hong Kong, Ye Myint Aung.
Earlier this year, Ye Myint Aung sent out letters to fellow diplomats in the former British colony describing the boat people from the Rohingya ethnic minority attempting to flee Myanmar and denied citizenship there as being "ugly as ogres."
Hong Kong - Myanmar's consulate in Hong Kong on Friday posted a mocking online message suggesting the US national caught visiting detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi might have been a "boy friend."The message, headed Secret Agent or Boy Friend?, was posted on the consulate's website and signed by the consulate general of the Union of Myanmar.
"Dear readers," it said. "Some of our friends inquired about an American, who swam into the Inya Lake, who secretly visited Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's house. Their question is why he swam to her and what they discussed within his stay at her house.
"Dear friends. Frankly, we have no idea whether he is either secret agent or her boy friend at this moment. We shall try to learn it and tell you later."
The message was posted at a time when Suu Kyi is on trial at Yangon's Insein Prison over the mysterious visit by John Yettaw, who is accused of swimming across the lake May 3 to her house.
Suu Kyi's attorney said Yettaw was uninvited, but Sui Kyi was arrested for allegedly breaching the terms of her house arrest by allowing Yettaw to stay until May 6.
Her trial, which began Monday, has been condemned internationally as a ploy to keep the opposition leader detained. The 1991 Nobel Peace Prize laureate has been detained for 13 of the past 19 years, and her latest six years under detention is due to expire Wednesday.
It is not known who wrote the message about Suu Kyi on the consulate's website, but it was suspected to be the work of Myanmar's controversial consul general to Hong Kong, Ye Myint Aung.
Earlier this year, Ye Myint Aung sent out letters to fellow diplomats in the former British colony describing the boat people from the Rohingya ethnic minority attempting to flee Myanmar and denied citizenship there as being "ugly as ogres."
Pictures from Day 4
AP pictures taken Day 4 (Thursday May 21). Note the NLD's U Win Tin with the black glasses near the front in the lower picture, along with other Aung San Suu Kyi supporters near the entrance to Insein Prison.
The shot above is from the front of the NLD offices in Rangoon.
Yettaw a pro-democracy plot says regime
From AP-
Latest in a long line of "you must be kidding" moments
Myanmar: Suu Kyi visitor was anti-government plot
39 minutes ago
YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Myanmar's junta alleged Friday that anti-government forces engineered an American's illegal visit to the house of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi to embarrass the government and aggravate its relations with the West.
Authorities detained John W. Yettaw after he left Suu Kyi's heavily guarded compound earlier this month and charged the Nobel peace laureate with violating terms of her house arrest by allowing the American to stay at her home without official permission.
The offense is punishable by up to five years' imprisonment. Her trial began Monday.
Responding to anger abroad over the trial, Myanmar's Foreign Minister U Nyan Win was quoted in the New Light of Myanmar as telling his Japanese counterpart that the Yettaw incident was manufactured by internal and external anti-government forces — a term usually referring to pro-democracy groups.
At a time when the United States, Japan and the European Union were reviewing their policies toward Myanmar, Nyan Win said "it was likely that this incident was trumped up to intensify international pressure on Myanmar by internal and external anti-government elements who do not wish to see the positive changes in those countries' policies toward Myanmar," the paper said.
The paper reported that Japanese Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone called on May 18 to express his concern about Suu Kyi's trial.
Critics have accused the junta of using Yettaw's visit as a pretext to keeping Suu Kyi in detention through polls scheduled for next year — the culmination of the junta's "roadmap to democracy," which has been criticized as a fig leaf for continued military rule.
Suu Kyi, who is being held at the infamous Insein Prison along with scores of other political prisoners, had been scheduled to be freed May 27 after six consecutive years under house arrest. She has been in detention without trial for more than 13 of the past 19 years.
Suu Kyi is standing trial with two female members of her party who live with her, and Yettaw, the American man who triggered the charges by swimming across a lake to Suu Kyi's property under the cover of darkness earlier this month and sneaking uninvited into her home.
Suu Kyi's lawyers have said she asked Yettaw to leave, but allowed him to stay for two days after he said he was too tired and ill to immediately swim back across the lake.
The trial this week has mostly focused on the motives and methods of Yettaw, a part-time contractor from Falcon, Missouri. The trial was briefly opened to reporters and diplomats Wednesday but otherwise has been closed.
On Thursday, the prosecution showed a video said to have been shot by Yettaw at Suu Kyi's house during his latest visit, according to one of her lawyers, Nyan Win. The video had a voice-over, apparently by Yettaw, which was translated into the Myanmar language in the courtroom.
"The video taken by Mr. Yettaw showed the portrait of Gen. Aung San (Myanmar's independence hero and Suu Kyi's father), a bookshelf and Mr. Yettaw himself standing in front of the portrait of Gen. Aung San.
"He was saying he is now in Yangon, at Aung San Suu Kyi's house and that he asked permission to film Aung San Suu Kyi but she refused. 'She looked nervous and I am sorry for that,' he was saying that, in his video," Nyan Win told reporters.
On Wednesday, 23 objects seized from Suu Kyi's house were presented as evidence, the most striking items being two black cloaks or robes described as being of a type worn by Muslim women, along with scarves to cover the face, two long skirts, and sunglasses.
Clearly implying that they could be used in an escape attempt, the prosecutor asked the police officer who seized the items whether "If a person wears this woman's Muslim dress and sunglasses, will you be able to identify the person?" The officer replied "No.'
Yettaw on Wednesday also offered the first public clue to the motive for his actions, suggesting in a courtroom exchange that he had a premonition someone would try to kill the pro-democracy leader, according to Nyan Win, who attended the proceedings.
His wife, Betty Yettaw, has said her husband wanted to talk to Suu Kyi as part of his research on forgiveness and resilience.
Latest in a long line of "you must be kidding" moments
Myanmar: Suu Kyi visitor was anti-government plot
39 minutes ago
YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Myanmar's junta alleged Friday that anti-government forces engineered an American's illegal visit to the house of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi to embarrass the government and aggravate its relations with the West.
Authorities detained John W. Yettaw after he left Suu Kyi's heavily guarded compound earlier this month and charged the Nobel peace laureate with violating terms of her house arrest by allowing the American to stay at her home without official permission.
The offense is punishable by up to five years' imprisonment. Her trial began Monday.
Responding to anger abroad over the trial, Myanmar's Foreign Minister U Nyan Win was quoted in the New Light of Myanmar as telling his Japanese counterpart that the Yettaw incident was manufactured by internal and external anti-government forces — a term usually referring to pro-democracy groups.
At a time when the United States, Japan and the European Union were reviewing their policies toward Myanmar, Nyan Win said "it was likely that this incident was trumped up to intensify international pressure on Myanmar by internal and external anti-government elements who do not wish to see the positive changes in those countries' policies toward Myanmar," the paper said.
The paper reported that Japanese Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone called on May 18 to express his concern about Suu Kyi's trial.
Critics have accused the junta of using Yettaw's visit as a pretext to keeping Suu Kyi in detention through polls scheduled for next year — the culmination of the junta's "roadmap to democracy," which has been criticized as a fig leaf for continued military rule.
Suu Kyi, who is being held at the infamous Insein Prison along with scores of other political prisoners, had been scheduled to be freed May 27 after six consecutive years under house arrest. She has been in detention without trial for more than 13 of the past 19 years.
Suu Kyi is standing trial with two female members of her party who live with her, and Yettaw, the American man who triggered the charges by swimming across a lake to Suu Kyi's property under the cover of darkness earlier this month and sneaking uninvited into her home.
Suu Kyi's lawyers have said she asked Yettaw to leave, but allowed him to stay for two days after he said he was too tired and ill to immediately swim back across the lake.
The trial this week has mostly focused on the motives and methods of Yettaw, a part-time contractor from Falcon, Missouri. The trial was briefly opened to reporters and diplomats Wednesday but otherwise has been closed.
On Thursday, the prosecution showed a video said to have been shot by Yettaw at Suu Kyi's house during his latest visit, according to one of her lawyers, Nyan Win. The video had a voice-over, apparently by Yettaw, which was translated into the Myanmar language in the courtroom.
"The video taken by Mr. Yettaw showed the portrait of Gen. Aung San (Myanmar's independence hero and Suu Kyi's father), a bookshelf and Mr. Yettaw himself standing in front of the portrait of Gen. Aung San.
"He was saying he is now in Yangon, at Aung San Suu Kyi's house and that he asked permission to film Aung San Suu Kyi but she refused. 'She looked nervous and I am sorry for that,' he was saying that, in his video," Nyan Win told reporters.
On Wednesday, 23 objects seized from Suu Kyi's house were presented as evidence, the most striking items being two black cloaks or robes described as being of a type worn by Muslim women, along with scarves to cover the face, two long skirts, and sunglasses.
Clearly implying that they could be used in an escape attempt, the prosecutor asked the police officer who seized the items whether "If a person wears this woman's Muslim dress and sunglasses, will you be able to identify the person?" The officer replied "No.'
Yettaw on Wednesday also offered the first public clue to the motive for his actions, suggesting in a courtroom exchange that he had a premonition someone would try to kill the pro-democracy leader, according to Nyan Win, who attended the proceedings.
His wife, Betty Yettaw, has said her husband wanted to talk to Suu Kyi as part of his research on forgiveness and resilience.
Journalists edited
From the Democratic Voice of Burma-
Burmese journalists restricted in trial reporting
May 22, 2009 (DVB)–Burmese journalists reporting on the trial of Aung San Suu Kyi are being prevented from publishing detail other than that already being said in government media, according to a journal editor in Rangoon.
On Wednesday, the Burmese government surprised observers by allowing 10 journalists – five from international agencies and five domestic - and around 30 foreign diplomats into the courtroom where Suu Kyi is facing charges of breaching her house arrest.
A news journal editor in Rangoon said that two private-owned media organisations in Burma, Bi-Weekly journal and Myanmar Times, who were among the five domestic publications allowed inside the courtroom faced heavy restrictions in their reporting.
“All the facts included in Bi-Weekly journal’s coverage were the same as the government newspapers, apart from a small difference in writing style and the headline,” said the editor, speaking under condition of anonymity.
“There was nothing new from what was aired on government television MRTV on Wednesday evening.”
All publications in Burma face strict censoring from the government’s Press Scrutiny and Registration Division board.
Articles are often required to be sent to the board for censoring days prior to publication.
The deputy director of exile-based Burma Media Association said the junta’s allowing of foreign and inside news reporters inside Wednesday’s court hearing was merely a trick to convince the international community that press freedom exists in the country.
“[The junta] did it to ease pressure from the international community and to maintain the support they receive from the [Association of Southeast Asian Nations], Russia and China, who have always been backing them,” said Zin Linn.
“That wasn’t a gesture of press freedom but merely their use of the media as a tool to protect their own profit.”
Last year, Paris-based media watchdog Reporters Without Borders ranked Burma 170 out 173 countries in their Press Freedom Index. Journalists in Burma are regularly imprisoned, some with sentences of 20 years.
Reporting by Ahunt Phone Myat
Burmese journalists restricted in trial reporting
May 22, 2009 (DVB)–Burmese journalists reporting on the trial of Aung San Suu Kyi are being prevented from publishing detail other than that already being said in government media, according to a journal editor in Rangoon.
On Wednesday, the Burmese government surprised observers by allowing 10 journalists – five from international agencies and five domestic - and around 30 foreign diplomats into the courtroom where Suu Kyi is facing charges of breaching her house arrest.
A news journal editor in Rangoon said that two private-owned media organisations in Burma, Bi-Weekly journal and Myanmar Times, who were among the five domestic publications allowed inside the courtroom faced heavy restrictions in their reporting.
“All the facts included in Bi-Weekly journal’s coverage were the same as the government newspapers, apart from a small difference in writing style and the headline,” said the editor, speaking under condition of anonymity.
“There was nothing new from what was aired on government television MRTV on Wednesday evening.”
All publications in Burma face strict censoring from the government’s Press Scrutiny and Registration Division board.
Articles are often required to be sent to the board for censoring days prior to publication.
The deputy director of exile-based Burma Media Association said the junta’s allowing of foreign and inside news reporters inside Wednesday’s court hearing was merely a trick to convince the international community that press freedom exists in the country.
“[The junta] did it to ease pressure from the international community and to maintain the support they receive from the [Association of Southeast Asian Nations], Russia and China, who have always been backing them,” said Zin Linn.
“That wasn’t a gesture of press freedom but merely their use of the media as a tool to protect their own profit.”
Last year, Paris-based media watchdog Reporters Without Borders ranked Burma 170 out 173 countries in their Press Freedom Index. Journalists in Burma are regularly imprisoned, some with sentences of 20 years.
Reporting by Ahunt Phone Myat
Breaking News from inside the UN
Discussions inside the UN Security Council on the trial unfolding appear deadlocked as certain veto powers hold back on stronger action on Burma.
Calls for a Presidential Statement from the current UNSC President (Russia) on behalf of the pro-democracy movement have so far failed.
Meanwhile, debate over a UNSC resolution calling for the release of all political prisoners including Aung San Suu Kyi, has been blocked by China, who requires that the direct mention of Aung San Suu Kyi be removed from the text.
Calls for a Presidential Statement from the current UNSC President (Russia) on behalf of the pro-democracy movement have so far failed.
Meanwhile, debate over a UNSC resolution calling for the release of all political prisoners including Aung San Suu Kyi, has been blocked by China, who requires that the direct mention of Aung San Suu Kyi be removed from the text.
Thailand talks
From Daily Yomiuri (extract)-
Thailand, as the chair of ASEAN, is the organisation's spokesperson on the trial and so it can be assumed what Thailand says, the rest of ASEAN concures with. Interest here in the call for Aung San Suu Kyi to be part of the 2010 election and for that process to be inclusive. However, ASEAN has a history of talking things up, but not acting. So far, that pattern is continuing.
Abhisit concerned for Suu Kyi
Norimasa Tahara Yomiuri Shimbun Correspondent
BANGKOK--Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva expressed his concern over the fate of Myanmar's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who went on trial in Myanmar on Wednesday, during an interview with The Yomiuri Shimbun at Government House in Bangkok the same day.
Abhisit also spoke about the political situation in Thailand, which currently chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Asked about the indictment of Suu Kyi in Myanmar, an ASEAN member state, Abhisit said: "We've been assured by the Myanmar government during the [ASEAN] meetings [in recent months] in Hua Hin and Pattaya [in Thailand] that they were continuing to implement the road map toward democracy and transition on what has happened. Clearly we're concerned about the credibility of that."
He said ASEAN "asked for humanitarian treatment, and that there would be justice, which is an essential component of a good political process."
On Tuesday, Thailand issued a statement as the ASEAN chair, asking for the immediate release of Suu Kyi among other requests.
During the interview, Abhisit stressed that ASEAN has examined progress in Myanmar's democratic process during past summit meetings and on other occasions.
"We want to see this is solved as quickly as possible and reiterate our stance that the democratic process needs to be inclusive. And we hope to see the progress," Abhisit said, suggesting he believed that democracy supporters, including Suu Kyi, should be able to take part in Myanmar's next general election scheduled in 2010.
Thailand, as the chair of ASEAN, is the organisation's spokesperson on the trial and so it can be assumed what Thailand says, the rest of ASEAN concures with. Interest here in the call for Aung San Suu Kyi to be part of the 2010 election and for that process to be inclusive. However, ASEAN has a history of talking things up, but not acting. So far, that pattern is continuing.
Abhisit concerned for Suu Kyi
Norimasa Tahara Yomiuri Shimbun Correspondent
BANGKOK--Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva expressed his concern over the fate of Myanmar's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who went on trial in Myanmar on Wednesday, during an interview with The Yomiuri Shimbun at Government House in Bangkok the same day.
Abhisit also spoke about the political situation in Thailand, which currently chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Asked about the indictment of Suu Kyi in Myanmar, an ASEAN member state, Abhisit said: "We've been assured by the Myanmar government during the [ASEAN] meetings [in recent months] in Hua Hin and Pattaya [in Thailand] that they were continuing to implement the road map toward democracy and transition on what has happened. Clearly we're concerned about the credibility of that."
He said ASEAN "asked for humanitarian treatment, and that there would be justice, which is an essential component of a good political process."
On Tuesday, Thailand issued a statement as the ASEAN chair, asking for the immediate release of Suu Kyi among other requests.
During the interview, Abhisit stressed that ASEAN has examined progress in Myanmar's democratic process during past summit meetings and on other occasions.
"We want to see this is solved as quickly as possible and reiterate our stance that the democratic process needs to be inclusive. And we hope to see the progress," Abhisit said, suggesting he believed that democracy supporters, including Suu Kyi, should be able to take part in Myanmar's next general election scheduled in 2010.
Fourth Day updates
From Mizzima-
Basic points: Closed court for the fifth day's hearings; Fifth day schedule released; Yettaw case opened and witnesses testimony aired; Swan Arshin state-backed paramilitaries recruited to intimidate on-lookers and supporters; Tensions are building between Swan Arshin and Aung San Suu Kyi supporters outside Insein prison.
Court fixes next hearing on May 22
Thursday, 21 May 2009 19:47
The special court in Insein prison has fixed the next hearing of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s case on May 22, the fifth continuous day since the trial began on Monday.Nyan Win, one of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's defense lawyer, said, Thursday’s court hearing was longer than usual as the court showed the video clip produced by the witness, which was found in the possession of John William Yettaw.In the video, Yettaw was heard explaining that he had arrived in Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s house, but she had refused to allow him to take her picture and that he wants to go back to Thailand, Nyan Win told Mizzima.All together, four witnesses were produced on Thursday.
Testimonies of witnesses on Wednesday’s hearing
Thursday, 21 May 2009 17:12
The state-run newspaper, New Light of Myanmar, on Thursday carried a report detailing the testimonies of witnesses during Wednesday’s court hearing in Aung San Suu Kyi’s trial.On Wednesday morning Police Captain Sa Kyaw Win of the Special Investigation Department (Foreign Affairs Division) was the first witness to testify in court, the paper said.According to his testimony, he had conducted an investigation at the Beauty Land Hotel (2), where the American John William Yettaw had stayed, on May 6 at 1:5 a.m. (local time) and found a rucksack containing 61 items.
But after Yettaw told them that he had left three currency notes of USD 100 in the telephone directory in the room, he along with witnesses searched the hotel room for the second time and found three currency notes of USD 100, the newspaper said.On Wednesday afternoon, witness Police Captain Tin Zaw Tun, head of Bahan Township Police Force was examined. He testified that together with Nga-htet-kyi Ward (West) PDC of Bahan Township Zaw Tin and Kyaikkasan Ward PDC Khin Nyunt went to the residence of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi at 54/56 on University Avenue of Shwedaunggya Ward, Bahan Township at 7.20 am on May 7, with a search warrant issued by the judge of Bahan Township court, the newspaper said.He said Daw Aung San Suu Kyi admitted knowing John William Yettaw, when he showed her his photograph and also said Yettaw had arrived in her house on May 4 morning and left on May 5 evening.
The witness also said, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi showed him the things that Yettaw had left one by one and he listed them. Yettaw also left two black chadors usually worn by Muslim women, the newspaper added.
Swan Arrshin members hired for 3,000 kyat a day
Thursday, 21 May 2009 14:00
Burmese military junta authorities are reportedly looking for more members of Swan Arrshin, a pro-junta group, and are hiring them for 20,000 kyat (USD 20) per day for security during the trial of Aung San Suu Kyi.Swan Arrshin members are to be positioned at main junctions in Rangoon and the surroundings of Insein prison.
They are reportedly being paid 3,000 kyat (USD 3) per day in a normal situation but have been promised 20,000 kyat per day if there is any anti-government protest, which they will have to suppress.In some townships and quarters, the number of Swan Arrshin members remained short, forcing the authorities to offer them more.Though a number of armed uniformed policemen and soldiers are visible in Insein Township, the number is less in other townships of Rangoon.
In most crowded junctions, members of Swan Arrshin, plainclothes policemen and Military Affairs Security personnel are visible.During the September 2007 monk-led protests, sources said members of Swan Arrshin were hurriedly recruited and were given 3,000 Kyat, with free lunch and a packet of cigarettes as a bonus per person per day to be used in cracking down on protestors.
Aung San Suu Kyi late for court session
Thursday, 21 May 2009 14:00
Aung San Suu Kyi on Thursday was reportedly brought to the court later than the scheduled time. It is still not clear why she arrived late. Meanwhile, near the Insein Bazaar, Central Committee member of the National League for Democracy Win Tin and party members gathered to demonstrate their support for party leader Aung San Suu Kyi and in protest against the trial.
In an interview with Mizzima, Win Tin said they are gathering near the Insein bazaar as a demonstration of their solidarity with Aung San Suu Kyi and in protest of her trial.Members of Swan Arrshin, a pro-junta civilian group, have increasingly become emboldened and were seen checking people with cameras and for journalistic identification.Main roads to Insein prison remained close on Thursday, but a small lane for by-passers and for vehicles was kept opened.Shops near the Insein prison reportedly saw a drastic drop in customers
Swan Arrshin members used for security in Insein
Thursday, 21 May 2009 13:20
Observers said, security forces have been drastically reduced around Insein prison, but members of the Swan Arrshin – a pro-junta civilian outfit – are seen increasingly around the area. They are being used by the authorities as informers to check on peoples’ movements.
Basic points: Closed court for the fifth day's hearings; Fifth day schedule released; Yettaw case opened and witnesses testimony aired; Swan Arshin state-backed paramilitaries recruited to intimidate on-lookers and supporters; Tensions are building between Swan Arshin and Aung San Suu Kyi supporters outside Insein prison.
Court fixes next hearing on May 22
Thursday, 21 May 2009 19:47
The special court in Insein prison has fixed the next hearing of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s case on May 22, the fifth continuous day since the trial began on Monday.Nyan Win, one of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's defense lawyer, said, Thursday’s court hearing was longer than usual as the court showed the video clip produced by the witness, which was found in the possession of John William Yettaw.In the video, Yettaw was heard explaining that he had arrived in Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s house, but she had refused to allow him to take her picture and that he wants to go back to Thailand, Nyan Win told Mizzima.All together, four witnesses were produced on Thursday.
Testimonies of witnesses on Wednesday’s hearing
Thursday, 21 May 2009 17:12
The state-run newspaper, New Light of Myanmar, on Thursday carried a report detailing the testimonies of witnesses during Wednesday’s court hearing in Aung San Suu Kyi’s trial.On Wednesday morning Police Captain Sa Kyaw Win of the Special Investigation Department (Foreign Affairs Division) was the first witness to testify in court, the paper said.According to his testimony, he had conducted an investigation at the Beauty Land Hotel (2), where the American John William Yettaw had stayed, on May 6 at 1:5 a.m. (local time) and found a rucksack containing 61 items.
But after Yettaw told them that he had left three currency notes of USD 100 in the telephone directory in the room, he along with witnesses searched the hotel room for the second time and found three currency notes of USD 100, the newspaper said.On Wednesday afternoon, witness Police Captain Tin Zaw Tun, head of Bahan Township Police Force was examined. He testified that together with Nga-htet-kyi Ward (West) PDC of Bahan Township Zaw Tin and Kyaikkasan Ward PDC Khin Nyunt went to the residence of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi at 54/56 on University Avenue of Shwedaunggya Ward, Bahan Township at 7.20 am on May 7, with a search warrant issued by the judge of Bahan Township court, the newspaper said.He said Daw Aung San Suu Kyi admitted knowing John William Yettaw, when he showed her his photograph and also said Yettaw had arrived in her house on May 4 morning and left on May 5 evening.
The witness also said, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi showed him the things that Yettaw had left one by one and he listed them. Yettaw also left two black chadors usually worn by Muslim women, the newspaper added.
Swan Arrshin members hired for 3,000 kyat a day
Thursday, 21 May 2009 14:00
Burmese military junta authorities are reportedly looking for more members of Swan Arrshin, a pro-junta group, and are hiring them for 20,000 kyat (USD 20) per day for security during the trial of Aung San Suu Kyi.Swan Arrshin members are to be positioned at main junctions in Rangoon and the surroundings of Insein prison.
They are reportedly being paid 3,000 kyat (USD 3) per day in a normal situation but have been promised 20,000 kyat per day if there is any anti-government protest, which they will have to suppress.In some townships and quarters, the number of Swan Arrshin members remained short, forcing the authorities to offer them more.Though a number of armed uniformed policemen and soldiers are visible in Insein Township, the number is less in other townships of Rangoon.
In most crowded junctions, members of Swan Arrshin, plainclothes policemen and Military Affairs Security personnel are visible.During the September 2007 monk-led protests, sources said members of Swan Arrshin were hurriedly recruited and were given 3,000 Kyat, with free lunch and a packet of cigarettes as a bonus per person per day to be used in cracking down on protestors.
Aung San Suu Kyi late for court session
Thursday, 21 May 2009 14:00
Aung San Suu Kyi on Thursday was reportedly brought to the court later than the scheduled time. It is still not clear why she arrived late. Meanwhile, near the Insein Bazaar, Central Committee member of the National League for Democracy Win Tin and party members gathered to demonstrate their support for party leader Aung San Suu Kyi and in protest against the trial.
In an interview with Mizzima, Win Tin said they are gathering near the Insein bazaar as a demonstration of their solidarity with Aung San Suu Kyi and in protest of her trial.Members of Swan Arrshin, a pro-junta civilian group, have increasingly become emboldened and were seen checking people with cameras and for journalistic identification.Main roads to Insein prison remained close on Thursday, but a small lane for by-passers and for vehicles was kept opened.Shops near the Insein prison reportedly saw a drastic drop in customers
Swan Arrshin members used for security in Insein
Thursday, 21 May 2009 13:20
Observers said, security forces have been drastically reduced around Insein prison, but members of the Swan Arrshin – a pro-junta civilian outfit – are seen increasingly around the area. They are being used by the authorities as informers to check on peoples’ movements.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Ban says will visit Burma asap
From CNN-
Unfortunately, the interviewer failed to press Ban on the detail of his proposed visit to Burma "as soon as possible". Other not
able points are that he plans to meet direct with Than Shwe - and now having announced this he may have given the general a means of playing the power game and not meet Ban at all - and that he will urge for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners.
Link here:
http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2009/05/21/sweeney.ban.ki.moon.myanmar.cnn
Unfortunately, the interviewer failed to press Ban on the detail of his proposed visit to Burma "as soon as possible". Other not
able points are that he plans to meet direct with Than Shwe - and now having announced this he may have given the general a means of playing the power game and not meet Ban at all - and that he will urge for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners.Link here:
http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2009/05/21/sweeney.ban.ki.moon.myanmar.cnn
Access a one-off: official
From the Straits Times-
YANGON - MYANMAR'S military regime put the trial of opposition icon Aung San Suu Kyi back behind closed doors on Thursday, after allowing diplomats and journalists to attend the hearing for just one day.
The junta had opened up the proceedings at the notorious Insein Prison near Yangon on Wednesday, in an apparent concession to fierce international criticism of the charges against the Nobel Peace Prize winner.
'The press will not be allowed today (Thursday). Only for one day were diplomats and press allowed,' a Myanmar official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
Diplomats said on Wednesday that they had been informed they would only be allowed in for one day, but the situation for the media was unclear until the official confirmation on Thursday.
A smiling, healthy-looking Aung San Suu Kyi, 63, had thanked diplomats for coming to the trial on Wednesday and said she hoped to meet them again in 'better days'. Authorities allowed one diplomat from each of the 30 foreign embassies in Yangon to attend, while Aung San Suu Kyi met envoys from Thailand, Singapore and Russia.
Five journalists working for foreign news organisations and five from local groups were also allowed into the trial, which had previously only been reported on by the tightly controlled state media.
Aung San Suu Kyi faces up to five years in jail if convicted of charges of breaching her house arrest stemming from an incident earlier this month in which an American man, John Yettaw, swam to her lakeside house.
Myanmar's ruling generals have kept her in jail or under house arrest for 13 of the past 19 years. -- AFP
YANGON - MYANMAR'S military regime put the trial of opposition icon Aung San Suu Kyi back behind closed doors on Thursday, after allowing diplomats and journalists to attend the hearing for just one day.
The junta had opened up the proceedings at the notorious Insein Prison near Yangon on Wednesday, in an apparent concession to fierce international criticism of the charges against the Nobel Peace Prize winner.
'The press will not be allowed today (Thursday). Only for one day were diplomats and press allowed,' a Myanmar official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
Diplomats said on Wednesday that they had been informed they would only be allowed in for one day, but the situation for the media was unclear until the official confirmation on Thursday.
A smiling, healthy-looking Aung San Suu Kyi, 63, had thanked diplomats for coming to the trial on Wednesday and said she hoped to meet them again in 'better days'. Authorities allowed one diplomat from each of the 30 foreign embassies in Yangon to attend, while Aung San Suu Kyi met envoys from Thailand, Singapore and Russia.
Five journalists working for foreign news organisations and five from local groups were also allowed into the trial, which had previously only been reported on by the tightly controlled state media.
Aung San Suu Kyi faces up to five years in jail if convicted of charges of breaching her house arrest stemming from an incident earlier this month in which an American man, John Yettaw, swam to her lakeside house.
Myanmar's ruling generals have kept her in jail or under house arrest for 13 of the past 19 years. -- AFP
Media clampdown re-enacted
From AP-
YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Myanmar government says it will again bar reporters, diplomats from Aung San Suu Kyi's trial.
YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Myanmar government says it will again bar reporters, diplomats from Aung San Suu Kyi's trial.
Pictures from Day 3
Shots taken yesterday, Day 3, by Irrawaddy. An angry mob or just curious onlookers? The black car is a diplomats vehicle leaving after being allowed in to view the session.
Aung San Suu Kyi footage
BBC running footage taken by state-friendly MRTV of Aung San Suu Kyi meeting diplomats yesterday (Wednesday May20, Day 3 of the trial).
The footage has no sound, probably for obvious reasons, and is very short.
Link here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8058804.stm
The footage has no sound, probably for obvious reasons, and is very short.
Link here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8058804.stm
UK Ambassador reports on trial
BBC interview with Mike Canning, UK Ambassador to Burma, who was allowed to enter the trial yesterday.
Salient points are the Aung San Suu Kyi is looking confident and "crackling with energy"; that she hoped to see the attending diplomats in "better times"; that Aung San Suu Kyi met three ambassadors from Russia, Thailand and Singapore (Russia is chair of the UNSC, Thailand Chair of ASEAN and Singapore has the longest serving ambassador in Burma and is considered the "Dean" of the dip. corps there); that there is no suggestion diplomats will be allowed in again; finally, the access given to the diplomats was a "concession".
Audio link here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8059359.stm
Salient points are the Aung San Suu Kyi is looking confident and "crackling with energy"; that she hoped to see the attending diplomats in "better times"; that Aung San Suu Kyi met three ambassadors from Russia, Thailand and Singapore (Russia is chair of the UNSC, Thailand Chair of ASEAN and Singapore has the longest serving ambassador in Burma and is considered the "Dean" of the dip. corps there); that there is no suggestion diplomats will be allowed in again; finally, the access given to the diplomats was a "concession".
Audio link here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8059359.stm
Singapore diplomat reports on trial
From Today Online-
STATEMENT FROM S’pore’s MFA (May 21, 2009)
In response to media queries that the Singapore Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Robert Chua was among three Ambassadors invited to meet Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on May 20, 2009 in Yangon, an MFA Spokesman said: The Myanmar Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Mofa) had today invited members of the diplomatic community to observe the ongoing trial of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi at Insein Prison in Yangon.
The Myanmar Mofa also invited the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, currently the Singapore Ambassador, as well as a representative of Thailand as the Asean Chair and a representative from Russia, as the current President of the United Nations Security Council, to meet Daw Aung San Suu Kyi after the adjournment of her trial this afternoon.
.Our Ambassador in Yangon, Mr Robert Chua, has reported that the meeting took place at a guest house within Insein Prison. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi informed the diplomatic representatives that she and her two housekeepers are well and being well treated by the Myanmar authorities.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi also informed the three diplomatic representatives that there could be many opportunities for national reconciliation if all parties so wished, and that she did not wish to use the intrusion into her home as a way to get at the Myanmar authorities. She also expressed the view that it was not too late for something good to come out of this unfortunate incident.
As Dean and on behalf of the diplomatic corps, Ambassador Chua expressed the hope that there would be peaceful national reconciliation and that representatives of the diplomatic corps would be able to meet both Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Myanmar leaders regularly.
In response to media queries that the Singapore Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Robert Chua was among three Ambassadors invited to meet Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on May 20, 2009 in Yangon, an MFA Spokesman said: The Myanmar Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Mofa) had today invited members of the diplomatic community to observe the ongoing trial of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi at Insein Prison in Yangon.
The Myanmar Mofa also invited the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, currently the Singapore Ambassador, as well as a representative of Thailand as the Asean Chair and a representative from Russia, as the current President of the United Nations Security Council, to meet Daw Aung San Suu Kyi after the adjournment of her trial this afternoon.
.Our Ambassador in Yangon, Mr Robert Chua, has reported that the meeting took place at a guest house within Insein Prison. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi informed the diplomatic representatives that she and her two housekeepers are well and being well treated by the Myanmar authorities.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi also informed the three diplomatic representatives that there could be many opportunities for national reconciliation if all parties so wished, and that she did not wish to use the intrusion into her home as a way to get at the Myanmar authorities. She also expressed the view that it was not too late for something good to come out of this unfortunate incident.
As Dean and on behalf of the diplomatic corps, Ambassador Chua expressed the hope that there would be peaceful national reconciliation and that representatives of the diplomatic corps would be able to meet both Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Myanmar leaders regularly.
In response to media queries that the Singapore Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Robert Chua was among three Ambassadors invited to meet Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on May 20, 2009 in Yangon, an MFA Spokesman said: The Myanmar Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Mofa) had today invited members of the diplomatic community to observe the ongoing trial of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi at Insein Prison in Yangon.
The Myanmar Mofa also invited the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, currently the Singapore Ambassador, as well as a representative of Thailand as the Asean Chair and a representative from Russia, as the current President of the United Nations Security Council, to meet Daw Aung San Suu Kyi after the adjournment of her trial this afternoon.
.Our Ambassador in Yangon, Mr Robert Chua, has reported that the meeting took place at a guest house within Insein Prison. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi informed the diplomatic representatives that she and her two housekeepers are well and being well treated by the Myanmar authorities.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi also informed the three diplomatic representatives that there could be many opportunities for national reconciliation if all parties so wished, and that she did not wish to use the intrusion into her home as a way to get at the Myanmar authorities.
She also expressed the view that it was not too late for something good to come out of this unfortunate incident. As Dean and on behalf of the diplomatic corps, Ambassador Chua expressed the hope that there would be peaceful national reconciliation and that representatives of the diplomatic corps would be able to meet both Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Myanmar
STATEMENT FROM S’pore’s MFA (May 21, 2009)
In response to media queries that the Singapore Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Robert Chua was among three Ambassadors invited to meet Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on May 20, 2009 in Yangon, an MFA Spokesman said: The Myanmar Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Mofa) had today invited members of the diplomatic community to observe the ongoing trial of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi at Insein Prison in Yangon.
The Myanmar Mofa also invited the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, currently the Singapore Ambassador, as well as a representative of Thailand as the Asean Chair and a representative from Russia, as the current President of the United Nations Security Council, to meet Daw Aung San Suu Kyi after the adjournment of her trial this afternoon.
.Our Ambassador in Yangon, Mr Robert Chua, has reported that the meeting took place at a guest house within Insein Prison. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi informed the diplomatic representatives that she and her two housekeepers are well and being well treated by the Myanmar authorities.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi also informed the three diplomatic representatives that there could be many opportunities for national reconciliation if all parties so wished, and that she did not wish to use the intrusion into her home as a way to get at the Myanmar authorities. She also expressed the view that it was not too late for something good to come out of this unfortunate incident.
As Dean and on behalf of the diplomatic corps, Ambassador Chua expressed the hope that there would be peaceful national reconciliation and that representatives of the diplomatic corps would be able to meet both Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Myanmar leaders regularly.
In response to media queries that the Singapore Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Robert Chua was among three Ambassadors invited to meet Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on May 20, 2009 in Yangon, an MFA Spokesman said: The Myanmar Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Mofa) had today invited members of the diplomatic community to observe the ongoing trial of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi at Insein Prison in Yangon.
The Myanmar Mofa also invited the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, currently the Singapore Ambassador, as well as a representative of Thailand as the Asean Chair and a representative from Russia, as the current President of the United Nations Security Council, to meet Daw Aung San Suu Kyi after the adjournment of her trial this afternoon.
.Our Ambassador in Yangon, Mr Robert Chua, has reported that the meeting took place at a guest house within Insein Prison. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi informed the diplomatic representatives that she and her two housekeepers are well and being well treated by the Myanmar authorities.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi also informed the three diplomatic representatives that there could be many opportunities for national reconciliation if all parties so wished, and that she did not wish to use the intrusion into her home as a way to get at the Myanmar authorities. She also expressed the view that it was not too late for something good to come out of this unfortunate incident.
As Dean and on behalf of the diplomatic corps, Ambassador Chua expressed the hope that there would be peaceful national reconciliation and that representatives of the diplomatic corps would be able to meet both Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Myanmar leaders regularly.
In response to media queries that the Singapore Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Robert Chua was among three Ambassadors invited to meet Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on May 20, 2009 in Yangon, an MFA Spokesman said: The Myanmar Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Mofa) had today invited members of the diplomatic community to observe the ongoing trial of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi at Insein Prison in Yangon.
The Myanmar Mofa also invited the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, currently the Singapore Ambassador, as well as a representative of Thailand as the Asean Chair and a representative from Russia, as the current President of the United Nations Security Council, to meet Daw Aung San Suu Kyi after the adjournment of her trial this afternoon.
.Our Ambassador in Yangon, Mr Robert Chua, has reported that the meeting took place at a guest house within Insein Prison. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi informed the diplomatic representatives that she and her two housekeepers are well and being well treated by the Myanmar authorities.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi also informed the three diplomatic representatives that there could be many opportunities for national reconciliation if all parties so wished, and that she did not wish to use the intrusion into her home as a way to get at the Myanmar authorities.
She also expressed the view that it was not too late for something good to come out of this unfortunate incident. As Dean and on behalf of the diplomatic corps, Ambassador Chua expressed the hope that there would be peaceful national reconciliation and that representatives of the diplomatic corps would be able to meet both Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Myanmar
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Media/Diplomats allowed in/UNSC movements
From Asia News
THAILAND – MYANMAR
Ten journalists at the third hearing against Aung San Suu Kyi, still in prison. The military junta allows five randomly picked foreign journalists access to the courtroom, as well as five pro government reporters. In the afternoon the opposition leader is due to meet with foreign diplomats. United Nations and ASEAN push for her release.
Bangkok (AsiaNews) – A group of journalists were permission to participate in the third hearing in the trial against Aung San Suu Kyi; this afternoon a delegation of foreign diplomats will meet the opposition leader, being detained in Insein prison Yangon, in a surprise move by the military junta that rules Myanmar. However video cameras and recording have been banned.
On leaving the court room the reporters referred that Aung San Suu Kyi “appears to be in good health and high spirits”. A security detail however immediately intervened to stop news leaking out. The reporters were then accompanied to the offices of the op position party, the National League for Democracy (NLD. The group of reporters who followed the hearing was made up of five journalists from international media and five from strictly pro-government local press.
They were chosen by the drawing of lots. Reuters, Agence France-Presse (AFP), NipponTV, Sankei Shimbun and Jiji Press were authorised access to the trial. Win Tin, National League for Democracy Central Executive Committee member commented “Whatever it is, the situation is a little bit extraordinary”, adding “we feel slightly better now that the media and the like are allowed in”.
The military junta has also authorised the diplomatic representatives from Russia, Thailand and Singapore to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi. The face to face will take place this afternoon, following the end of today’s proceedings in court. Local sources report the presence of 25 cars with diplomatic number plates at the entrance to Insein prison, among them the United States, Great Britain and France.
Meanwhile International efforts are re-doubling. Members of the UN Security Council is set to publish a declaration on the issue, but agreement has yet to be reached on the wording of the document (statements from the Security Council or Presidency have greater weight). China Russia and Japan are asking for “caution” in the UN’s approach to avoid direct confrontation with the Burmese Junta. The United States, Britain and France have already expressed their condemnation of the Noble Peace Prize Winner’s arrest.
Yesterday Thai Premier Abhisit Vejjajiva, Chairman of Asean Summit stressed the stance of the Asian Countries appealing Burma to release Aung San Suu Kyi. “Asean is ready to take a constructive role in the issue” commented the Premier “We are ready to take part in a dialogue of conciliation so that Burma can move forward towards democracy”.
THAILAND – MYANMAR
Ten journalists at the third hearing against Aung San Suu Kyi, still in prison. The military junta allows five randomly picked foreign journalists access to the courtroom, as well as five pro government reporters. In the afternoon the opposition leader is due to meet with foreign diplomats. United Nations and ASEAN push for her release.
Bangkok (AsiaNews) – A group of journalists were permission to participate in the third hearing in the trial against Aung San Suu Kyi; this afternoon a delegation of foreign diplomats will meet the opposition leader, being detained in Insein prison Yangon, in a surprise move by the military junta that rules Myanmar. However video cameras and recording have been banned.
On leaving the court room the reporters referred that Aung San Suu Kyi “appears to be in good health and high spirits”. A security detail however immediately intervened to stop news leaking out. The reporters were then accompanied to the offices of the op position party, the National League for Democracy (NLD. The group of reporters who followed the hearing was made up of five journalists from international media and five from strictly pro-government local press.
They were chosen by the drawing of lots. Reuters, Agence France-Presse (AFP), NipponTV, Sankei Shimbun and Jiji Press were authorised access to the trial. Win Tin, National League for Democracy Central Executive Committee member commented “Whatever it is, the situation is a little bit extraordinary”, adding “we feel slightly better now that the media and the like are allowed in”.
The military junta has also authorised the diplomatic representatives from Russia, Thailand and Singapore to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi. The face to face will take place this afternoon, following the end of today’s proceedings in court. Local sources report the presence of 25 cars with diplomatic number plates at the entrance to Insein prison, among them the United States, Great Britain and France.
Meanwhile International efforts are re-doubling. Members of the UN Security Council is set to publish a declaration on the issue, but agreement has yet to be reached on the wording of the document (statements from the Security Council or Presidency have greater weight). China Russia and Japan are asking for “caution” in the UN’s approach to avoid direct confrontation with the Burmese Junta. The United States, Britain and France have already expressed their condemnation of the Noble Peace Prize Winner’s arrest.
Yesterday Thai Premier Abhisit Vejjajiva, Chairman of Asean Summit stressed the stance of the Asian Countries appealing Burma to release Aung San Suu Kyi. “Asean is ready to take a constructive role in the issue” commented the Premier “We are ready to take part in a dialogue of conciliation so that Burma can move forward towards democracy”.
Breaking News from inside Burma
Journos inside (cont.)
The media outlets allowed to report on today's proceedings were:
AFP, Reuters, Sankei Shimbun, Jiji and Nippon. The latter three are Japanese (ie Japanese language) agencies. So, all outlets are wires/agencies.
This was only for today and is likely to change daily, presumably relying to some extent on the reports produced.
Worth seeing what these outlets produced today.
Thanks to those who helped compile the list.
The media outlets allowed to report on today's proceedings were:
AFP, Reuters, Sankei Shimbun, Jiji and Nippon. The latter three are Japanese (ie Japanese language) agencies. So, all outlets are wires/agencies.
This was only for today and is likely to change daily, presumably relying to some extent on the reports produced.
Worth seeing what these outlets produced today.
Thanks to those who helped compile the list.
Breaking News from inside Burma
Journos inside
Reports are that around 8-10 journalists have been given entry to the courtroom hearing Aung San Suu Kyi's case. It is unclear whom those correspondents represent. But it appears to be that all correspondents are Burmese nationals and that no major foreign media outlets are represented.
This move looks to be in response to the NLD's concerted push to have an open court or, at the very least, to have some form of independent monitors observing.
NLD stirring
While the streets in Rangoon remain calm, NLD youth are becoming increasingly disturbed by the situation.
The massive security presence around Insein and in Rangoon generally remains a debilitating threat so far.
Reports are that around 8-10 journalists have been given entry to the courtroom hearing Aung San Suu Kyi's case. It is unclear whom those correspondents represent. But it appears to be that all correspondents are Burmese nationals and that no major foreign media outlets are represented.
This move looks to be in response to the NLD's concerted push to have an open court or, at the very least, to have some form of independent monitors observing.
NLD stirring
While the streets in Rangoon remain calm, NLD youth are becoming increasingly disturbed by the situation.
The massive security presence around Insein and in Rangoon generally remains a debilitating threat so far.
Chinese whispers
To my knowledge - could be wrong - this is the first comment from Chinese state media on the trial. What's interesting of course is what it doesnt say. Note also an earlier post about Beijing's negotiations with the SPDC, so read into this what you will.
Trial against Aung San Suu Kyi to continue for third day
www.chinaview.cn 2009-05-20 13:42:05
YANGON, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Trial against Aung San Suu Kyi underhouse arrest is due to continue Wednesday afternoon for the third day at a special court in Yangon's Insein Prison with the Myanmar authorities to grant some foreign diplomats and five foreign mediapersons based in Myanmar to be present as observers.
This is the first time that the authorities allowed such presence for the limited number of foreign media persons who obtained their lots to enter the court out of more than 20 through drawing under the arrangement of the Foreign Correspondents' Club.
The granted media persons will be allowed to enter into the court only empty-handed with no cameras, recorders and mobile phones permitted to bring along.
The two female housemates of Aung San Suu Kyi -- Khin Khin Win and Win Ma Ma, and American citizen John William Yettaw are also under trial.
Aung San Suu Kyi, 63, General Secretary of the National League for Democracy (ND), was charged with breaching the authorities' "Security Law Safeguarding the State Against the Dangers of Subversive Elements" by accommodating the American tourist and speaking to him who sneaked into her restricted house for three days from May 3 to 5.
Aung San Suu Kyi's two maids and Yettaw were also charged with supporting her acts.
Moreover, Yettaw was also separately charged with breaking immigration rule and Yangon Municipal Acts for swimming across the Inya Lake.
Yettaw, 53, holding American passport and tourist visa, arrived in Yangon on May 2 and stayed at the Beauty Land Hotel-2. He swam through the Inya Lake and secretly entered Aung San Suu Kyi's Yangon lake-side house on May 3 night and left the house on May 5 night.
Yettaw was only arrested on May 6 dawn by Myanmar's security force while he was swimming back across Inya Lake out of Aung San Suu Kyi's house after three days' sneaking, according to the authorities.
He was seized with a torch, a pair of folding pliers, a Cannon camera and some foreign and local currency notes among others.
Yettaw had also once swum across the Inya Lake and entered the barred residential compound of Aung San Suu Kyi on Nov. 30 last year and passed a book titled "Book of Mormon" to Aung San Suu Kyi through her two maids.
Yettaw, who is a student of Clinical Psychology of Forest Institute attending Ph.D, discharged duty as military serviceman for two years.
Aung San Suu Kyi, 63, had been put under detention and later house arrest at her lake-side residence in Yangon for the third time since the Dabayin incident in northwestern Sagaing division on May 30, 2003.
Aung San Suu Kyi has spent most of the last 19 years under house arrest since July 1989. She was restricted under the authorities' four orders -- "Restriction Order Against Her Fundamental Rights under Section-7 of the Law to Safeguard the State Against the Dangers of Those Desiring to Cause Subversive Acts", "Arrest Order under Section 10-A, "Prohibition Order under Section 10-B/11" and "Continued Prohibition Order under Section 13/14".
Trial against Aung San Suu Kyi to continue for third day
www.chinaview.cn 2009-05-20 13:42:05
YANGON, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Trial against Aung San Suu Kyi underhouse arrest is due to continue Wednesday afternoon for the third day at a special court in Yangon's Insein Prison with the Myanmar authorities to grant some foreign diplomats and five foreign mediapersons based in Myanmar to be present as observers.
This is the first time that the authorities allowed such presence for the limited number of foreign media persons who obtained their lots to enter the court out of more than 20 through drawing under the arrangement of the Foreign Correspondents' Club.
The granted media persons will be allowed to enter into the court only empty-handed with no cameras, recorders and mobile phones permitted to bring along.
The two female housemates of Aung San Suu Kyi -- Khin Khin Win and Win Ma Ma, and American citizen John William Yettaw are also under trial.
Aung San Suu Kyi, 63, General Secretary of the National League for Democracy (ND), was charged with breaching the authorities' "Security Law Safeguarding the State Against the Dangers of Subversive Elements" by accommodating the American tourist and speaking to him who sneaked into her restricted house for three days from May 3 to 5.
Aung San Suu Kyi's two maids and Yettaw were also charged with supporting her acts.
Moreover, Yettaw was also separately charged with breaking immigration rule and Yangon Municipal Acts for swimming across the Inya Lake.
Yettaw, 53, holding American passport and tourist visa, arrived in Yangon on May 2 and stayed at the Beauty Land Hotel-2. He swam through the Inya Lake and secretly entered Aung San Suu Kyi's Yangon lake-side house on May 3 night and left the house on May 5 night.
Yettaw was only arrested on May 6 dawn by Myanmar's security force while he was swimming back across Inya Lake out of Aung San Suu Kyi's house after three days' sneaking, according to the authorities.
He was seized with a torch, a pair of folding pliers, a Cannon camera and some foreign and local currency notes among others.
Yettaw had also once swum across the Inya Lake and entered the barred residential compound of Aung San Suu Kyi on Nov. 30 last year and passed a book titled "Book of Mormon" to Aung San Suu Kyi through her two maids.
Yettaw, who is a student of Clinical Psychology of Forest Institute attending Ph.D, discharged duty as military serviceman for two years.
Aung San Suu Kyi, 63, had been put under detention and later house arrest at her lake-side residence in Yangon for the third time since the Dabayin incident in northwestern Sagaing division on May 30, 2003.
Aung San Suu Kyi has spent most of the last 19 years under house arrest since July 1989. She was restricted under the authorities' four orders -- "Restriction Order Against Her Fundamental Rights under Section-7 of the Law to Safeguard the State Against the Dangers of Those Desiring to Cause Subversive Acts", "Arrest Order under Section 10-A, "Prohibition Order under Section 10-B/11" and "Continued Prohibition Order under Section 13/14".
Petitions
Here's a few of the more prominent petitions to free Aung San Suu Kyi, set up since the trial began:
http://globalvoicesonline.org/2009/05/20/myanmar-facebook-campaign-for-aung-san-suu-kyi/
http://www.avaaz.org/en/free_aung_san_suu_kyi/
http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/advocacy/index.aspx?c=jhKPIXPCIoE&b=2590179&template=x.ascx&action=11134&ICID=I0905A01&tr=y&auid=4878103
http://globalvoicesonline.org/2009/05/20/myanmar-facebook-campaign-for-aung-san-suu-kyi/
http://www.avaaz.org/en/free_aung_san_suu_kyi/
http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/advocacy/index.aspx?c=jhKPIXPCIoE&b=2590179&template=x.ascx&action=11134&ICID=I0905A01&tr=y&auid=4878103
Daily Breakdown from the NCGUB
Detailed breakdown of the trial so far, from the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma:-
TRIAL OF DAW AUNG SAN SUU KYI
Compiled by the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma
Court: Special Court inside Insein Prison
Judges: U Thaung Nyunt (Northern District - Rangoon)
U Nyi Nyi Soe (Western District - Rangoon)
Plaintiff: Special Branch Police Lt Col Zaw Min Aung, two others
Defendants: Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
Daw Khin Khin Win
Daw Win Ma Ma
John William Yettaw
18 May Update
The Judges
A two-judge Special Court began hearing charges against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, her two live-in companions and National League for Democracy (NLD) members -- Daw Khin Khin Win and daughter Daw Win Ma Ma -- at 1000 on 18 May.
The two judges -- U Thaung Nyunt and U Nyi Nyi Soe from the Northern and Western Districts of Rangoon -- are known for handing down harsh prison sentences on leading members of the 88 Generation Students group like Min Ko Naing and Min Zeya when they were tried separately.
Charges & Defense Team
Defending the Nobel Peace Laureate were Advocates U Kyi Win, U Hla Myo Myint, and U Nyan Win while the two companions of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi were represented by Advocates Daw Khin Htay Kywe, U Hla Myo Myint, and U Nyan Win. The defense team submitted legal documents to the court.
Acting as the plaintiff, Police Lieutenant Colonel Zaw Min Aung of the Special Branch of Police filed the law suits under Article 22 of the State Protection Law or "Law to Safeguard the State Against the Dangers of Those Desiring to Cause Subversive Acts" against all three defendants.
The prosecution will be presenting 22 witnesses, most of whom will be police and public service personnel and the defense plans to cross question them.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was charged because she received and served meals to US Citizen John William Yettaw, an uninvited visitor who swam across Inya Lake to sneak into her home on 3 May 2009.
Article 22 states that "Any person against whom action is taken, who opposes, resists or disobeys any order passed under this Law shall be liable to imprisonment for a period of up to three years, or a fine of up to five thousand kyats, or to both."
Daw Khin Khin Win and Ma Win Ma Ma face additional charges under Article 109 of the Penal Code for abetting the commitment of a criminal offense.
May 19, 2009 (DVB)–The first witness called in the prosecution of Aung San Suu Kyi yesterday acknowledged that she had not violated a condition under which she is forbidden to make contact with an external political body.
Speaking to DVB, Suu Kyi’s lawyer, Kyi Win, said that the first day of the trial yesterday against the Burmese opposition leader had heard a statement from prosecutor, Lieutenant Colonel Zaw Min Aung.
Closed-Door Session
During the hearing, diplomats from Britain, Australia, France, Germany and Italy, journalists, and NLD members led by Central Executive Committee Member U Win Tin tried to gain access to the court but their requests were denied.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her companions are currently being detained at, what is described as a guesthouse facility inside the Insein Prison compound.
American 'Swimmer'
US citizen John William Yettaw, whose antics provided the Burmese generals a golden opportunity to persecute Daw Aung San Suu Kyi days before the order to keep her under house arrest was about to expire, also appeared in court on 18 May to face charges.
Criminal charges filed against him are: Article 22 of the State Protection Law, Article 109 of the Penal Code, Section 13(1) of the Immigration Act (Emergency Provisions) and Section 28 of Rangoon City Development Committee Law for swimming in an area prohibited under the committee's Water Supply and Sanitation Rules (40).
John Yettaw was represented by Higher Grade Pleader U Khin Maung Oo.
A US Embassy official was present as an observer at the court hearing.
The state-run press said prior to his intrusion into the Nobel Laureate's residence on the night of 3 May 2009, John Yettaw also made another unauthorized visit to that home on 30 November 2008 when he also swam across Inya Lake. He met with the companions of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and left a book -- "Book of Mormon" -- before departing.
The court proceedings ended around 1530 on 18 May.
Scene Outside Insein Prison
TRIAL OF DAW AUNG SAN SUU KYI
Compiled by the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma
Court: Special Court inside Insein Prison
Judges: U Thaung Nyunt (Northern District - Rangoon)
U Nyi Nyi Soe (Western District - Rangoon)
Plaintiff: Special Branch Police Lt Col Zaw Min Aung, two others
Defendants: Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
Daw Khin Khin Win
Daw Win Ma Ma
John William Yettaw
18 May Update
The Judges
A two-judge Special Court began hearing charges against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, her two live-in companions and National League for Democracy (NLD) members -- Daw Khin Khin Win and daughter Daw Win Ma Ma -- at 1000 on 18 May.
The two judges -- U Thaung Nyunt and U Nyi Nyi Soe from the Northern and Western Districts of Rangoon -- are known for handing down harsh prison sentences on leading members of the 88 Generation Students group like Min Ko Naing and Min Zeya when they were tried separately.
Charges & Defense Team
Defending the Nobel Peace Laureate were Advocates U Kyi Win, U Hla Myo Myint, and U Nyan Win while the two companions of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi were represented by Advocates Daw Khin Htay Kywe, U Hla Myo Myint, and U Nyan Win. The defense team submitted legal documents to the court.
Acting as the plaintiff, Police Lieutenant Colonel Zaw Min Aung of the Special Branch of Police filed the law suits under Article 22 of the State Protection Law or "Law to Safeguard the State Against the Dangers of Those Desiring to Cause Subversive Acts" against all three defendants.
The prosecution will be presenting 22 witnesses, most of whom will be police and public service personnel and the defense plans to cross question them.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was charged because she received and served meals to US Citizen John William Yettaw, an uninvited visitor who swam across Inya Lake to sneak into her home on 3 May 2009.
Article 22 states that "Any person against whom action is taken, who opposes, resists or disobeys any order passed under this Law shall be liable to imprisonment for a period of up to three years, or a fine of up to five thousand kyats, or to both."
Daw Khin Khin Win and Ma Win Ma Ma face additional charges under Article 109 of the Penal Code for abetting the commitment of a criminal offense.
May 19, 2009 (DVB)–The first witness called in the prosecution of Aung San Suu Kyi yesterday acknowledged that she had not violated a condition under which she is forbidden to make contact with an external political body.
Speaking to DVB, Suu Kyi’s lawyer, Kyi Win, said that the first day of the trial yesterday against the Burmese opposition leader had heard a statement from prosecutor, Lieutenant Colonel Zaw Min Aung.
Closed-Door Session
During the hearing, diplomats from Britain, Australia, France, Germany and Italy, journalists, and NLD members led by Central Executive Committee Member U Win Tin tried to gain access to the court but their requests were denied.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her companions are currently being detained at, what is described as a guesthouse facility inside the Insein Prison compound.
American 'Swimmer'
US citizen John William Yettaw, whose antics provided the Burmese generals a golden opportunity to persecute Daw Aung San Suu Kyi days before the order to keep her under house arrest was about to expire, also appeared in court on 18 May to face charges.
Criminal charges filed against him are: Article 22 of the State Protection Law, Article 109 of the Penal Code, Section 13(1) of the Immigration Act (Emergency Provisions) and Section 28 of Rangoon City Development Committee Law for swimming in an area prohibited under the committee's Water Supply and Sanitation Rules (40).
John Yettaw was represented by Higher Grade Pleader U Khin Maung Oo.
A US Embassy official was present as an observer at the court hearing.
The state-run press said prior to his intrusion into the Nobel Laureate's residence on the night of 3 May 2009, John Yettaw also made another unauthorized visit to that home on 30 November 2008 when he also swam across Inya Lake. He met with the companions of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and left a book -- "Book of Mormon" -- before departing.
The court proceedings ended around 1530 on 18 May.
Scene Outside Insein Prison
Security around Insein Prison was tightened a day before the court hearing began on 18 May. Insein Road around the prison was closed off to traffic; barricades and barbed wire fencing were set up at strategic places and manned by the riot police and members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, the Fire Brigade, and the Swann Arr Shin groups.
Armed police were seen deployed inside nearby monasteries and temples.
Cellular phones inside the country became very difficult to access for people overseas, and landline phones were also off in many areas.
Police and municipal authorities closed down the market near Insein Prison at 1100 on 18 May and many food stalls, teashops, and others were ordered to close also.
Family visits for prisoners in Insein Prison were also prohibited by authorities.
NLD Youth, Members
Hundreds of NLD youth and adult members gathered outside the prison. They tried to get inside the court but were refused entry. Some youths were seen wearing black ribbons on their chests.
A few NLD Youth members, including Htwe Thein, were taken away from near Insein Prison and released later.
Armed police were seen deployed inside nearby monasteries and temples.
Cellular phones inside the country became very difficult to access for people overseas, and landline phones were also off in many areas.
Police and municipal authorities closed down the market near Insein Prison at 1100 on 18 May and many food stalls, teashops, and others were ordered to close also.
Family visits for prisoners in Insein Prison were also prohibited by authorities.
NLD Youth, Members
Hundreds of NLD youth and adult members gathered outside the prison. They tried to get inside the court but were refused entry. Some youths were seen wearing black ribbons on their chests.
A few NLD Youth members, including Htwe Thein, were taken away from near Insein Prison and released later.
(Black ribbons worn by young supporters. They were later taken off because security personnel could identify them by the ribbons)
Good Wishes From the Leader
On his return from the Special Court inside Insein Prison, Lawyer U Nyan Win, who is also the member of the NLD Information Committee, said at the NLD headquarters that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi wanted people to know that she was fine and that she sent her good wishes so that others are in good health also.
19 May Update
Trial To End 'Next Week'?
The trial resumed with unexpected haste today surprising even the lawyers representing Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her companions.
Judging by the pace of the trial yesterday, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's lawyer U Kyi Win said he expected the trial to last about three months. But, the trial picked up speed so much so that U Nyan Win, one of the members of the defense team and spokesperson for the National League for Democracy (NLD) was quoted today as saying, "I can definitely say the government is speeding up the case to finish quickly."
He now expects it to end "by next week".
The prosecution had produced a list of 22 witnesses and five appeared in court today.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is not expected to testify until the prosecution rests.
U Kyi Win said the restriction order against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi prohibited her from meeting diplomats and people with links to political institutions. The plaintiff, Police Lt Col Zaw Min Aung, conceded that she did not violate those restrictions during cross examination.
Furthermore, U Kyi Win said Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has not had any phone contact with the outside world since her phone lines had been severed.
The police colonel did not give a definitive answer to that apparently to avoid admitting her phone lines had been cut.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi had asked John Yettaw "to leave at once" but later fed him and allowed him to sleep on the ground floor of her house only because he complained about muscle cramps. A traditional gesture that makes Burmese "even to feed a stray dog that shows up at your door", said U Kyi Win.
The lawyer's request for a public court hearing was again rejected today.
Tighter Security
Security was tighter today. The barricades remain and more security personnel, in uniform and mufti, are seen around Insein Prison. No cars are allowed to go near the prison.
Security personnel are seen to be bolder in confronting the supporters of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi milling around the prison. Some people in mufti were seen photographing people near the prison gate.
When Central Executive Committee Member U Win Tin arrived around 1240, a group armed police approached the place where he and his supporters were sitting, scaring away some spectators. U Win Tin stood his ground and the riot police went away.
U Win Tin and a group of supporters were later made to move away from a place they were sitting.
Well-known activist Naw Ohn Hla who is leading NLD members in a prayer campaign for the release of all political prisoners was also seen at the scene.
A police car was seen driving back and forth close to the NLD youths. Police are seen making people move away from the barricades
Shops and stalls which were ordered to close reopened today with no interference from the authorities.
News sources: freelancers inside the country, www.dvb.no , www.mizzima.com , www.irrawaddy.org , and various Burmese language blogs
Tension builds
Extract from AP
(Full article: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gs16E0Y8T8w9Edy1yiDa2nXqxwkwD989ELFG0
Hundreds of police in full riot gear, some armed with rifles, were deployed along all roads leading to Insein prison where the trial was taking place, while about 100 Suu Kyi supporters gathered peacefully nearby. Dozens of plainclothes policemen and more than a hundred members of a pro-junta militia were deployed near the prison.
Some members of her party who gathered near an inner layer of barricades said supporters of the junta tried to provoke them with abuse.
"Some people shouted bad words about Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and tried to start a fight," said Ko Yin Aye, a youth member of her party. 'Daw' is a term of respect use for older women.
(Full article: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gs16E0Y8T8w9Edy1yiDa2nXqxwkwD989ELFG0
Hundreds of police in full riot gear, some armed with rifles, were deployed along all roads leading to Insein prison where the trial was taking place, while about 100 Suu Kyi supporters gathered peacefully nearby. Dozens of plainclothes policemen and more than a hundred members of a pro-junta militia were deployed near the prison.
Some members of her party who gathered near an inner layer of barricades said supporters of the junta tried to provoke them with abuse.
"Some people shouted bad words about Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and tried to start a fight," said Ko Yin Aye, a youth member of her party. 'Daw' is a term of respect use for older women.
At last, ASEAN
From the Bangkok Post-
Note also notes on the trial length in this article. My information is that it will drag on. Here it is suggested it will be short. Clearly no-one really knows as its entirely up to the regime, and their priorities are changing constantly as the issue unfolds.
Asean joins calls for Suu Kyi's release
Burma's credibility at stake, says Abhisit
By: BANGKOK POST AND AGENCIES
Published: 20/05/2009 at 12:00 AM
Thailand, as chair of Asean, has added its voice to calls for the immediate release of Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Burma's ruling junta is apparently rushing Mrs Suu Kyi's trial so she could be handed a jail sentence as early as next week. The Thai and Asean call is an attempt to prevent that.
"The Government of the Union of Myanmar [Burma] is reminded that the Asean leaders have called for the immediate release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi," the statement from Asean said.
The statement was issued after senior Asean officials discussed the matter at talks held in Phuket on Monday.
Thailand used the statement to express its "grave concern" about Mrs Suu Kyi's situation given her fragile health.
Burma's democracy icon has been on trial since Monday for breaking house arrest rules. Her six-year house detention sentence is due to expire next Wednesday.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday Thailand was closely monitoring developments in Burma in the hope it would heed Asean's call. But Thailand had no plan to impose a deadline over the issue.
He said Asean had shown its readiness to "contribute constructively to the national reconciliation process and the peaceful transition of democracy" in Burma, and warned the Burmese regime that its credibility was now at stake.
But Aung Naing Oo, a Chiang Mai-based Burmese political analyst, was sceptical about the likely impact of the Asean statement.
The member states held no sway over the country's political reforms, the former student leader said. With China and India remaining silent on the issue, the Burmese junta had no reason to soften its stance on detaining Mrs Suu Kyi.
Asean and Thailand should do more than just call for her immediate release, said Win Min, a professor at the All Ethnic International Open University Programme at Chiang Mai University.
"Asean should tell the ruling State Peace and Development Council that it would be difficult or impossible to support the 2010 elections unless Mrs Suu Kyi was released and the election process was inclusive for her party," he said.
Yesterday, five witnesses - including four police officers who said they arrested American John Yettaw after he spent two days at Mrs Suu Kyi's lakeside house - gave evidence at the closed-door trial being held at Insein prison.
"They are trying to finish [the trial] as soon as possible," Nyan Win, the spokesman for Mrs Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD), told reporters.
Nyan Win said the trial could be finished by as early as next week.
He said the prosecution was expected to call 22 witnesses, all but one of whom are police. The senior officer who filed the original complaint against Mrs Suu Kyi testified on Monday.
Critics say the military regime has trumped up the charges to keep Mrs Suu Kyi locked up during elections due next year, and also to beat the May 27 deadline when her latest six-year period of detention expires.
Mrs Suu Kyi has spent 13 of the past 19 years in detention, most of them under house arrest at her residence.
Mr Yettaw and two of Mrs Suu Kyi's female political aides, who live at the house, are also on trial at the jail.
"The witnesses described the situation when they arrested him. They said they watched him as he swam and at first they thought he was a thief," Nyan Win said, recounting the testimony by the four policemen yesterday."But they said that they knew as soon as he came to the bank of the lake that he was a foreigner. Then they took him to the special branch."
Note also notes on the trial length in this article. My information is that it will drag on. Here it is suggested it will be short. Clearly no-one really knows as its entirely up to the regime, and their priorities are changing constantly as the issue unfolds.
Asean joins calls for Suu Kyi's release
Burma's credibility at stake, says Abhisit
By: BANGKOK POST AND AGENCIES
Published: 20/05/2009 at 12:00 AM
Thailand, as chair of Asean, has added its voice to calls for the immediate release of Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Burma's ruling junta is apparently rushing Mrs Suu Kyi's trial so she could be handed a jail sentence as early as next week. The Thai and Asean call is an attempt to prevent that.
"The Government of the Union of Myanmar [Burma] is reminded that the Asean leaders have called for the immediate release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi," the statement from Asean said.
The statement was issued after senior Asean officials discussed the matter at talks held in Phuket on Monday.
Thailand used the statement to express its "grave concern" about Mrs Suu Kyi's situation given her fragile health.
Burma's democracy icon has been on trial since Monday for breaking house arrest rules. Her six-year house detention sentence is due to expire next Wednesday.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday Thailand was closely monitoring developments in Burma in the hope it would heed Asean's call. But Thailand had no plan to impose a deadline over the issue.
He said Asean had shown its readiness to "contribute constructively to the national reconciliation process and the peaceful transition of democracy" in Burma, and warned the Burmese regime that its credibility was now at stake.
But Aung Naing Oo, a Chiang Mai-based Burmese political analyst, was sceptical about the likely impact of the Asean statement.
The member states held no sway over the country's political reforms, the former student leader said. With China and India remaining silent on the issue, the Burmese junta had no reason to soften its stance on detaining Mrs Suu Kyi.
Asean and Thailand should do more than just call for her immediate release, said Win Min, a professor at the All Ethnic International Open University Programme at Chiang Mai University.
"Asean should tell the ruling State Peace and Development Council that it would be difficult or impossible to support the 2010 elections unless Mrs Suu Kyi was released and the election process was inclusive for her party," he said.
Yesterday, five witnesses - including four police officers who said they arrested American John Yettaw after he spent two days at Mrs Suu Kyi's lakeside house - gave evidence at the closed-door trial being held at Insein prison.
"They are trying to finish [the trial] as soon as possible," Nyan Win, the spokesman for Mrs Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD), told reporters.
Nyan Win said the trial could be finished by as early as next week.
He said the prosecution was expected to call 22 witnesses, all but one of whom are police. The senior officer who filed the original complaint against Mrs Suu Kyi testified on Monday.
Critics say the military regime has trumped up the charges to keep Mrs Suu Kyi locked up during elections due next year, and also to beat the May 27 deadline when her latest six-year period of detention expires.
Mrs Suu Kyi has spent 13 of the past 19 years in detention, most of them under house arrest at her residence.
Mr Yettaw and two of Mrs Suu Kyi's female political aides, who live at the house, are also on trial at the jail.
"The witnesses described the situation when they arrested him. They said they watched him as he swam and at first they thought he was a thief," Nyan Win said, recounting the testimony by the four policemen yesterday."But they said that they knew as soon as he came to the bank of the lake that he was a foreigner. Then they took him to the special branch."
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
US policy implications
From AP-
Trial of Suu Kyi May Dash Change in US Policy
By FOSTER KLUG / AP WRITER
Tuesday, May 19, 2009 ,
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration has been considering whether a softer approach on Burma could spur democratic change in the military-run country, but the trial starting this week of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi may dash the possibility of a new US policy.
State Department spokesman Ian Kelly was blunt when asked Monday whether the proceedings against Suu Kyi make it more difficult for the administration to ease tough sanctions against Burma: "It certainly doesn't help."
Kelly would not elaborate, saying only a "whole range of options" are being considered as senior officials from various US agencies meet to review the policy meant to push Burma's junta "to do the right thing."
Even as the review continues, President Barack Obama extended for another year on Friday a state of emergency regarding Burma. Sanctions would have expired had the emergency order not been extended.
Still, signals from Obama's administration had prompted speculation that the United States might be poised to reconsider its hard line against Burma.
US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said in February, on a trip to Indonesia, "Clearly, the path we have taken in imposing sanctions hasn't influenced the Burmese junta." She added, however, that Burma's neighbors' policy of "reaching out and trying to engage them hasn't influenced them either."
Suu Kyi, who went on trial Monday, already has spent more than 13 of the past 19 years in detention. The Nobel Peace laureate has been charged with violating conditions of her house arrest by sheltering an American man who swam to her lakeside home to secretly visit her earlier this month. The offense is punishable by up to five years' imprisonment.
David Steinberg, a Burma specialist at Georgetown University, said the Obama administration might have been considering small changes, such as joint efforts to recover the remains of US soldiers.
"The modest progress that could have taken place will be set back now," he said. The United States, Steinberg said, cannot begin easing sanctions until it sees real change from Burma's generals.
Suu Kyi had been scheduled to be freed May 27 after six consecutive years of house arrest. The latest charges are widely seen as a pretext for the government to keep her detained past elections scheduled for next year.
Ralph A. Cossa, president of the Pacific Forum CSIS think tank, questioned the US policy of maintaining "total isolation and strict sanctions" until the junta recognizes the results of the 1990 elections it lost in a landslide to Suu Kyi's party but did not honor.
"That a new policy is needed is beyond dispute," he wrote last week. "What that policy should or will be is far from clear, however." Some, Cossa said, have pushed for an approach similar to the six-nation negotiations being used by the United States, South Korea, Japan, Russia and China to try to persuade North Korea to abandon its nuclear programs.
US sanctions, he wrote, "need to be more targeted against the government and its leaders and not against the people themselves."
Meanwhile, Mitch McConnell, the Senate's top Republican and a regular critic of Burma's generals, offered rare praise for Obama on Monday for his decision to extend the emergency order against Burma.
He warned Burmese military leaders that both Democrats and Republicans "will continue to follow Suu Kyi's trial with great interest and deep concern."
Trial of Suu Kyi May Dash Change in US Policy
By FOSTER KLUG / AP WRITER
Tuesday, May 19, 2009 ,
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration has been considering whether a softer approach on Burma could spur democratic change in the military-run country, but the trial starting this week of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi may dash the possibility of a new US policy.
State Department spokesman Ian Kelly was blunt when asked Monday whether the proceedings against Suu Kyi make it more difficult for the administration to ease tough sanctions against Burma: "It certainly doesn't help."
Kelly would not elaborate, saying only a "whole range of options" are being considered as senior officials from various US agencies meet to review the policy meant to push Burma's junta "to do the right thing."
Even as the review continues, President Barack Obama extended for another year on Friday a state of emergency regarding Burma. Sanctions would have expired had the emergency order not been extended.
Still, signals from Obama's administration had prompted speculation that the United States might be poised to reconsider its hard line against Burma.
US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said in February, on a trip to Indonesia, "Clearly, the path we have taken in imposing sanctions hasn't influenced the Burmese junta." She added, however, that Burma's neighbors' policy of "reaching out and trying to engage them hasn't influenced them either."
Suu Kyi, who went on trial Monday, already has spent more than 13 of the past 19 years in detention. The Nobel Peace laureate has been charged with violating conditions of her house arrest by sheltering an American man who swam to her lakeside home to secretly visit her earlier this month. The offense is punishable by up to five years' imprisonment.
David Steinberg, a Burma specialist at Georgetown University, said the Obama administration might have been considering small changes, such as joint efforts to recover the remains of US soldiers.
"The modest progress that could have taken place will be set back now," he said. The United States, Steinberg said, cannot begin easing sanctions until it sees real change from Burma's generals.
Suu Kyi had been scheduled to be freed May 27 after six consecutive years of house arrest. The latest charges are widely seen as a pretext for the government to keep her detained past elections scheduled for next year.
Ralph A. Cossa, president of the Pacific Forum CSIS think tank, questioned the US policy of maintaining "total isolation and strict sanctions" until the junta recognizes the results of the 1990 elections it lost in a landslide to Suu Kyi's party but did not honor.
"That a new policy is needed is beyond dispute," he wrote last week. "What that policy should or will be is far from clear, however." Some, Cossa said, have pushed for an approach similar to the six-nation negotiations being used by the United States, South Korea, Japan, Russia and China to try to persuade North Korea to abandon its nuclear programs.
US sanctions, he wrote, "need to be more targeted against the government and its leaders and not against the people themselves."
Meanwhile, Mitch McConnell, the Senate's top Republican and a regular critic of Burma's generals, offered rare praise for Obama on Monday for his decision to extend the emergency order against Burma.
He warned Burmese military leaders that both Democrats and Republicans "will continue to follow Suu Kyi's trial with great interest and deep concern."
NLD news briefing
This is a chronological timetable of the events leading to the arrest and court appearance of Aung San Suu Kyi, released today by the National League for Democracy (Liberated Areas).
May 14, 2009
Time: 09:00 (Local Time)Burma’s democratic leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi faced a court trial at Insein prison of Rangoon, Burma for breaching detention conditions.
May 14 (Thursday)
12:30 (Local Time)—Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was allowed to meet her laywer U Kyi Win and U Hla Myo Myint at the court.
11: 40 (Local Time)—Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is charged with breaching detention conditions.
11: 25 (Local Time)—Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is now at the Special Court located at Insein Prison in Rangoon. The authority allowed her to meet her five lawyers, U Kyi Win, U NyanWin, U Aung Thein, U Hla Myo Myint and Daw Khin Htay Kywe. Some officials from the Embassy of the United State in Burma will also present at the court. No other people are allowedto be present at the court. The NLD members, local and foreign correspondents and hersupporters are crowded in front of the prison. Until now, a few security personnel are seen inpublic scene around the prison.
09:00 (Local Time)—Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s lawyers are waiting for meeting her at Insein prison.
07:00 (Local Time)—Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was taken by the Burmese authorities to Insein prison to face a court trail regarding the intrusion of John William Yettaw, an American citizenwho was found swimming at Rangoon’s Innya Lake and arrested in the early morning of May 6. Aung San Suu Kyi’s two helpers, Khin Khin Win and Win Pa Pa, were also taken along with herto the court.News BriefNational League for Democracy (Liberated Area) 2
May 13 (Wednesday)After 16:00 (Local Time)—U Kyi Win was again informed that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi wanted to meet him again. With a surprise, He went to her home. Aung San Suu Kyi told him that she and two of her helpers are going to face a court trial. The authority informed Daw Aung San Suu Kyi that she would be picked up at 7 a.m. on May 14 (Thursday) to face a court trial at the Special Court set up in Insein prison, Rangoon. The authority didn’t let her know about the charge on her. But U Kyi Win believed that it was about John William Yettaw’s sneaking into her house byswimming across the Innya Lake.
16: 00 (Local Time)—Burmese authorities allow U Kyi Win, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s lawyer,to meet her at her lakeside home. U Kyi Win explained to her about the Burmese junta’s rejection on her appeal regarding her detention and about the case of John William Yettaw. He explained to her legal conditions set by the Burmese authorities under the State Protection Act and said that she didn’t breach the conditions at all.
May 12 (Tuesday)National League for Democracy (NLD) announced that the party has a serious concern on thehealth condition of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and asked the authority to give her a sufficient medical treatment which she is entitled to according to the law. The NLD issued Statement7/05/09 after Dr. Pyone Mo Ei treated her two times in the last few days and found that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was not only suffering low blood pressure and dehydration symptoms, but also had difficulty eating last week.
May 11 (Monday)Dr. Pyone Mo Ei visited Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and spent for 4 hours with her to check her health situation. According to the doctor, Daw Suu’s health is improving. She is getting better.There are no worries about her health at this moment. Although she can now eat meals, regular long-term medical checkups are needed, said the doctor.
News Brief National League for Democracy (Liberated Area) 3May 7 (Thursday)Burma’s state newspaper New Light of Myanmar announced that John William Yettaw, an,American national, sneaked into the house of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi by swimming across theInnya Lake. The Burmese security personnel found him swimming in the lake at 5:30 a.m. earlyin the morning and arrested him.The Burmese authorities allow Dr. Pyone Mo Ei, an assistant of Dr. Tin Myo Win, to visit DawAung San Suu Kyi for a medical checkup. The doctor found that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is suffering from low blood pressure and dehydration and gave a treatment to her. Meanwhile, Dr.Tin Myo Win, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s family doctor, was arrested by the authorities in the evening of that day. The authorities first came to pick up Dr Tin Myo Win for his regular visit togive her a medical checkup. After he waited awhile to enter the house, authorities told him thathe could not visit her. So he went back home. In the evening, authorities came to the doctor’s house again and took him away. Where he was detained remains unknown.
May 14, 2009
Time: 09:00 (Local Time)Burma’s democratic leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi faced a court trial at Insein prison of Rangoon, Burma for breaching detention conditions.
May 14 (Thursday)
12:30 (Local Time)—Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was allowed to meet her laywer U Kyi Win and U Hla Myo Myint at the court.
11: 40 (Local Time)—Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is charged with breaching detention conditions.
11: 25 (Local Time)—Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is now at the Special Court located at Insein Prison in Rangoon. The authority allowed her to meet her five lawyers, U Kyi Win, U NyanWin, U Aung Thein, U Hla Myo Myint and Daw Khin Htay Kywe. Some officials from the Embassy of the United State in Burma will also present at the court. No other people are allowedto be present at the court. The NLD members, local and foreign correspondents and hersupporters are crowded in front of the prison. Until now, a few security personnel are seen inpublic scene around the prison.
09:00 (Local Time)—Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s lawyers are waiting for meeting her at Insein prison.
07:00 (Local Time)—Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was taken by the Burmese authorities to Insein prison to face a court trail regarding the intrusion of John William Yettaw, an American citizenwho was found swimming at Rangoon’s Innya Lake and arrested in the early morning of May 6. Aung San Suu Kyi’s two helpers, Khin Khin Win and Win Pa Pa, were also taken along with herto the court.News BriefNational League for Democracy (Liberated Area) 2
May 13 (Wednesday)After 16:00 (Local Time)—U Kyi Win was again informed that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi wanted to meet him again. With a surprise, He went to her home. Aung San Suu Kyi told him that she and two of her helpers are going to face a court trial. The authority informed Daw Aung San Suu Kyi that she would be picked up at 7 a.m. on May 14 (Thursday) to face a court trial at the Special Court set up in Insein prison, Rangoon. The authority didn’t let her know about the charge on her. But U Kyi Win believed that it was about John William Yettaw’s sneaking into her house byswimming across the Innya Lake.
16: 00 (Local Time)—Burmese authorities allow U Kyi Win, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s lawyer,to meet her at her lakeside home. U Kyi Win explained to her about the Burmese junta’s rejection on her appeal regarding her detention and about the case of John William Yettaw. He explained to her legal conditions set by the Burmese authorities under the State Protection Act and said that she didn’t breach the conditions at all.
May 12 (Tuesday)National League for Democracy (NLD) announced that the party has a serious concern on thehealth condition of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and asked the authority to give her a sufficient medical treatment which she is entitled to according to the law. The NLD issued Statement7/05/09 after Dr. Pyone Mo Ei treated her two times in the last few days and found that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was not only suffering low blood pressure and dehydration symptoms, but also had difficulty eating last week.
May 11 (Monday)Dr. Pyone Mo Ei visited Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and spent for 4 hours with her to check her health situation. According to the doctor, Daw Suu’s health is improving. She is getting better.There are no worries about her health at this moment. Although she can now eat meals, regular long-term medical checkups are needed, said the doctor.
News Brief National League for Democracy (Liberated Area) 3May 7 (Thursday)Burma’s state newspaper New Light of Myanmar announced that John William Yettaw, an,American national, sneaked into the house of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi by swimming across theInnya Lake. The Burmese security personnel found him swimming in the lake at 5:30 a.m. earlyin the morning and arrested him.The Burmese authorities allow Dr. Pyone Mo Ei, an assistant of Dr. Tin Myo Win, to visit DawAung San Suu Kyi for a medical checkup. The doctor found that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is suffering from low blood pressure and dehydration and gave a treatment to her. Meanwhile, Dr.Tin Myo Win, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s family doctor, was arrested by the authorities in the evening of that day. The authorities first came to pick up Dr Tin Myo Win for his regular visit togive her a medical checkup. After he waited awhile to enter the house, authorities told him thathe could not visit her. So he went back home. In the evening, authorities came to the doctor’s house again and took him away. Where he was detained remains unknown.
Breaking News from inside Burma
China talks
A reliable source has said that high level talks have been going on between China and the SPDC today. The meetings have been an attempt by Beijing to get the regime to accept constitutional reform and to release all political prisoners. The source says the SPDC has retained its hard-line stance and has not budged on these principles. Talks appear to be continuing.
All quiet
There has been no news from inside the courtroom today as the regime's media shutdown sets in. Consensus from those watching the situation closely is that this is likely to be a pattern as the regime seeks to slow down the proceedings and ensure the communication flow is frozen.
Outside the prison courtroom, all remains tense but quiet as Day Two reaches towards its end.
NLD fights on
Sources inside the NLD have told sources that they are determined to fight on and to highlight the injustice of Aung San Suu Kyi's trial.
A reliable source has said that high level talks have been going on between China and the SPDC today. The meetings have been an attempt by Beijing to get the regime to accept constitutional reform and to release all political prisoners. The source says the SPDC has retained its hard-line stance and has not budged on these principles. Talks appear to be continuing.
All quiet
There has been no news from inside the courtroom today as the regime's media shutdown sets in. Consensus from those watching the situation closely is that this is likely to be a pattern as the regime seeks to slow down the proceedings and ensure the communication flow is frozen.
Outside the prison courtroom, all remains tense but quiet as Day Two reaches towards its end.
NLD fights on
Sources inside the NLD have told sources that they are determined to fight on and to highlight the injustice of Aung San Suu Kyi's trial.
Govt in exile calls for UN action
Media Statement from the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma-
Burma exiles warn of growing public outrage
Nation tense as Aung San Suu Kyi trial continues today - International program outlined.
The Burmese govt in exile has alerted global governments and organisations about increasing anger among the population as the trumped-up case against democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi begins its second day in Rangoon this morning, Burma time.
The National Coalition Government for the Union of Burma has advised the international community to have contigency plans in place should the situation boil over in the coming days.
The area around the prison compound is heavily guarded, roads have been blocked off and, markets and shops have been told to shut down, as the military regime bolsters itself for a possible outcry at the treatment of the democracy icon and Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
Around 70 Burmese were killed and hundreds were imprisoned following the last major public demonstrations, known as the Saffron Revolution, broke out late in 2007.
"A concerted effort is needed," says the NCGUB's United Nations co-ordinator Dr. Thaung Htun.
"Major powers like India, China, the US and the EU, as well as regional bodies like ASEAN, must work together to find a solution to this untenable situation, especially as things may escalate in the coming days."
The UN provides the most effective means of doing this, says Thaung Htun.
The UN has two viable options, say the NCGUB.
One, is the immediate visit to Rangoon of a Special Advisor to be dispatched from the United Nations Secretary-General's office. This advisor would work to defuse current tensions and to secure the release of all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi.
Two, an emergency session of the Security Council should be convened to urgently discuss the situation in Burma and to decide upon what collective action can be taken in the medium to longer term.
Speaking to both proposals, The NCGUB's UN office co-ordinator, Dr. Thaung Htun says, “This is exactly the moment the UN was established for. Now is the time when the UN must lead, to rally all powers, and to show the world it is not prepared to sit idly by as a massive injustice is perpetrated against Aung San Suu Kyi and on the people of Burma.”
“We call for immediate action through the UN to put an end to this outrageous action on the part of Burma's military junta.”
Burma exiles warn of growing public outrage
Nation tense as Aung San Suu Kyi trial continues today - International program outlined.
The Burmese govt in exile has alerted global governments and organisations about increasing anger among the population as the trumped-up case against democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi begins its second day in Rangoon this morning, Burma time.
The National Coalition Government for the Union of Burma has advised the international community to have contigency plans in place should the situation boil over in the coming days.
The area around the prison compound is heavily guarded, roads have been blocked off and, markets and shops have been told to shut down, as the military regime bolsters itself for a possible outcry at the treatment of the democracy icon and Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
Around 70 Burmese were killed and hundreds were imprisoned following the last major public demonstrations, known as the Saffron Revolution, broke out late in 2007.
"A concerted effort is needed," says the NCGUB's United Nations co-ordinator Dr. Thaung Htun.
"Major powers like India, China, the US and the EU, as well as regional bodies like ASEAN, must work together to find a solution to this untenable situation, especially as things may escalate in the coming days."
The UN provides the most effective means of doing this, says Thaung Htun.
The UN has two viable options, say the NCGUB.
One, is the immediate visit to Rangoon of a Special Advisor to be dispatched from the United Nations Secretary-General's office. This advisor would work to defuse current tensions and to secure the release of all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi.
Two, an emergency session of the Security Council should be convened to urgently discuss the situation in Burma and to decide upon what collective action can be taken in the medium to longer term.
Speaking to both proposals, The NCGUB's UN office co-ordinator, Dr. Thaung Htun says, “This is exactly the moment the UN was established for. Now is the time when the UN must lead, to rally all powers, and to show the world it is not prepared to sit idly by as a massive injustice is perpetrated against Aung San Suu Kyi and on the people of Burma.”
“We call for immediate action through the UN to put an end to this outrageous action on the part of Burma's military junta.”
Prosecutor hints at hollow charges
From the Democratic Voice of Burma-
Prosecutor makes some concessions on Suu Kyi
May 19, 2009 (DVB)–The first witness called in the prosecution of Aung San Suu Kyi yesterday acknowledged that she had not violated a condition under which she is forbidden to make contact with an external political body.
Speaking to DVB, Suu Kyi’s lawyer, Kyi Win, said that the first day of the trial yesterday against the Burmese opposition leader had heard a statement from prosecutor, Lieutenant Colonel Zaw Min Aung.
“We read out the restriction order against Daw Suu, which pointed out that she is prohibited from meeting with foreign diplomats and people with links to political organizations, to [Zaw Min Aung] and asked him if that would be correct to say she didn’t violated this prohibition, and he said that was correct,” said Kyi Win.
Suu Kyi is on trial for allegedly breaching conditions of her house arrest following the intrusion of US citizen John Yettaw, who stayed at her compound earlier this month where she has been detained for 13 of the last 19 years.
If convicted she could be imprisoned for up to five years.
“Then we continued to ask him, based on accusations that Daw Suu had violated a restriction against her from making contacts with the outside world such as talking to people on the phone, if he knew her phone line has been cut off since 2003,” said Kyi Win.
“He didn’t give a clear answer on that.”
The trial is being held behind closed doors in a special court inside Rangoon’s Insein prison. Kyi Win said their request to the court to open the trial for the public was rejected.
Many Burmese in exile have vented their anger at Yettaw, who swam across Inya Lake on the night of 3 May and stayed at Suu Kyi’s compound. It has transpired that he made the same trip last year.
“When [Yettaw] showed up at Daw Suu’s house, she told him to leave at once.,” said Kyi Win.
After complaining of muscle cramps, Suu Kyi allowed him to sleep on the ground floor of her house.
“She also had to feed him, because [it is a tradition] even to feed a stray dog who shows up at your door, and this time we are talking about a human,” said Kyi Win.
The trial continues.
Reporting by Naw Say Phaw
Prosecutor makes some concessions on Suu Kyi
May 19, 2009 (DVB)–The first witness called in the prosecution of Aung San Suu Kyi yesterday acknowledged that she had not violated a condition under which she is forbidden to make contact with an external political body.
Speaking to DVB, Suu Kyi’s lawyer, Kyi Win, said that the first day of the trial yesterday against the Burmese opposition leader had heard a statement from prosecutor, Lieutenant Colonel Zaw Min Aung.
“We read out the restriction order against Daw Suu, which pointed out that she is prohibited from meeting with foreign diplomats and people with links to political organizations, to [Zaw Min Aung] and asked him if that would be correct to say she didn’t violated this prohibition, and he said that was correct,” said Kyi Win.
Suu Kyi is on trial for allegedly breaching conditions of her house arrest following the intrusion of US citizen John Yettaw, who stayed at her compound earlier this month where she has been detained for 13 of the last 19 years.
If convicted she could be imprisoned for up to five years.
“Then we continued to ask him, based on accusations that Daw Suu had violated a restriction against her from making contacts with the outside world such as talking to people on the phone, if he knew her phone line has been cut off since 2003,” said Kyi Win.
“He didn’t give a clear answer on that.”
The trial is being held behind closed doors in a special court inside Rangoon’s Insein prison. Kyi Win said their request to the court to open the trial for the public was rejected.
Many Burmese in exile have vented their anger at Yettaw, who swam across Inya Lake on the night of 3 May and stayed at Suu Kyi’s compound. It has transpired that he made the same trip last year.
“When [Yettaw] showed up at Daw Suu’s house, she told him to leave at once.,” said Kyi Win.
After complaining of muscle cramps, Suu Kyi allowed him to sleep on the ground floor of her house.
“She also had to feed him, because [it is a tradition] even to feed a stray dog who shows up at your door, and this time we are talking about a human,” said Kyi Win.
The trial continues.
Reporting by Naw Say Phaw
ASEAN Chair calls for release
From the Bangkok Post-
PM demands Suu Kyi's release
By: BangkokPost.com
Published: 19/05/2009 at 12:48 PM
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has called on the ruling military junta of Burma to release pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners as soon as possible to promote democracy and national reconciliation as agreed at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit.
Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said on Tuesday that the prime minister, as the Asean chairman, released a statement expressing grave concern about opposition party leader Suu Kyi who is being tried in secret on charges of violating the terms of her house arrest.
Mr Panitan said the Thai government was ready to work with the Burmese government and other countries to bring about peace and order in Burma.Asked about the likelihood the Burmese government would not comply with the request, Mr Panitan said the Thai government will try to persuade Burma to cooperate more with Asean.
PM demands Suu Kyi's release
By: BangkokPost.com
Published: 19/05/2009 at 12:48 PM
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has called on the ruling military junta of Burma to release pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners as soon as possible to promote democracy and national reconciliation as agreed at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit.
Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said on Tuesday that the prime minister, as the Asean chairman, released a statement expressing grave concern about opposition party leader Suu Kyi who is being tried in secret on charges of violating the terms of her house arrest.
Mr Panitan said the Thai government was ready to work with the Burmese government and other countries to bring about peace and order in Burma.Asked about the likelihood the Burmese government would not comply with the request, Mr Panitan said the Thai government will try to persuade Burma to cooperate more with Asean.
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