Myanmar signs two agreements with Sri Lanka

September 30th, 2009 US: Engagement won't replace sanctions in MyanmarWASHINGTON — The Obama administration says it will not ease harsh sanctions against military-run Myanmar (mee-an-MAWR') even as it pursues a new policy of dialogue with the Southeast Asian nation's ruling generals. Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell says lifting sanctions without democratic progress in Myanmar "would be a mistake." Democratic Sen.

September 14th, 2009 Obama says trade agreements must be enforcedNEW YORK — President Barack Obama is defending his decision to impose punitive tariffs on imported Chinese tires. In a speech Monday in New York, Obama said he took action because trade agreements must be enforced in order for trading systems to work.

September 1st, 2009 BEIJING - China Tuesday urged the Myanmar junta to restore order and stability at their border following unrest that triggered mass exodus of Myanmarese into the Communist country. "Safeguarding the stability of the China-Myanmar border is in line with the vital interests of both governments," said Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu.

August 31st, 2009 YANGON - China Monday announced the handing over of 225 railway carriages to Myanmar as part of a deal agreed by the two countries in 2008. The carriages include 20 passenger and 200 freight coaches, and five engines.

August 14th, 2009 YANGON - US Senator Jim Webb has arrived in Myanmar to hold talks with the country's military leadership, according to an official statement Friday. Webb's visit, the first such visit of a US Congress member to Myanmar in over a decade, is aimed at exploring opportunities to advance US interests in Myanmar and the region.

July 24th, 2009 Trial of Aung San Suu Kyi resumes in MyanmarYANGON, Myanmar — A Myanmar official says the trial of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has resumed. The widely criticized proceedings started up again Friday with defense lawyers and prosecutors expected to present final arguments.

July 20th, 2009 NEW DELHI - India and the US Monday signed three agreements on science and technology, space cooperation and end-user monitoring accord that will pave way for more defence deals between the two countries. The agreements were signed between visiting US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Indian Minister of External Affairs S.M.

July 16th, 2009 Foreign investment in Myanmar soarsYANGON, Myanmar — Foreign investment in Myanmar swelled sixfold to almost $1 billion in the last fiscal year, most of it coming from China, according to government statistics seen Thursday. A Ministry of National Planning and Development statistical survey showed that foreign investment jumped to $984.9 million in the fiscal year that ended in March 2009 from $172.7 million the previous year.

July 15th, 2009 BANGKOK - Myanmar authorities intercepted nearly one tonne of heroin in Shan state in one of the biggest drug busts in recent history, Thai media reports said Wednesday. The massive seizure, netting 950 kg of heroin and 340,000 methamphetamine pills, was made Monday in Tachilek, in northeastern Myanmar, the Bangkok Post reported, citing anti-narcotics officers who spoke on condition of anonymity.

June 26th, 2009 UN envoy arrives in MyanmarYANGON, Myanmar — Officials say the U.N. special envoy to Myanmar has arrived in the country to pave the way for a possible visit by U.N.

June 21st, 2009 DHAKA - Bangladesh and Myanmar could share each other's under sea cable system, used for running the internet, whenever their own cable connectivity breaks down, according to a proposal put forward by Yangon. Bangladesh is examining the proposal received from Myanmar, New Age newspaper said Sunday quoting an official.

June 16th, 2009 BEIJING - Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping said Tuesday that Beijing wanted to promote comprehensive, stable and lasting relations with Myanmar. Peaceful coexistence has been the cornerstone of China's diplomacy and the two countries should promote projects to boost trade, Xi said during a meeting here with Myanmar's visiting state peace and development council vice chairman Maung Aye.

May 14th, 2009 Lawyer: Trial imminent for Myanmar's Suu KyiYANGON, Myanmar — A spokesman for her party says that detained Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi will be put on trial Thursday in connection with the intrusion of an American into her compound. Nyan Win says he was informed of the plan to try Suu Kyi and two women who live with her by her lawyer Kyi Win.

May 13th, 2009 BEIJING - China's investment in a Sri Lankan port is "normal commercial activity," the Foreign Ministry said Tuesday, refuting a claim it was a military project. "Any distortion of facts would be invalid," the China Daily quoted ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu as saying at a news briefing.

May 8th, 2009 Myanmar newspaper says American arrestedYANGON, Myanmar — A Myanmar newspaper says authorities have arrested an American man who allegedly swam across a lake and snuck into the lakeside home of detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The Myanma Ahlin newspaper says in its Thursday edition that police fished the man out of Yangon's Inya Lake on Wednesday while he was returning from the visit.