Obama condemns conviction of opposition leader in Burma

October 8th, 2009 Myanmar democracy leader Suu Kyi meets diplomatsYANGON, Myanmar — Myanmar's junta leader allowed detained Myanmar pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi a rare meeting with Western diplomats Friday to discuss sanctions imposed against the military-ruled country. The Nobel Prize winner, who remains under house arrest, was driven to a government guesthouse to meet with diplomats of the United States, Great Britain and Australia, according to the officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the press.

September 25th, 2009 Yangon (Myanmar), Sep 25(ANI): Detained Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has backed the Obama administration's initiative to carry out talks with Burma's rulers. Suu Kyi comments came after indications from US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that the US is set to engage directly with Burma's military rulers in an effort to push for democratic reforms.

September 23rd, 2009 Senate condemns release of Lockerbie bomberWASHINGTON — The Senate has unanimously condemned the release of the Libyan terrorist convicted in Pan Am bombing over Lockerbie and called upon Libya to apologize for celebrating his return. The symbolic step came as Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi was addressing the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

August 17th, 2009 Obama welcomes release of US citizen from MyanmarWASHINGTON — The Obama administration said Monday it was pleased that Sen. Jim Webb had arranged the release of an American citizen from detention in military-run Myanmar.

August 14th, 2009 Administration OK'd senator's trip to MyanmarWASHINGTON — The Obama administration gave its blessing to Democratic Sen. Jim Webb's trip to military-run Myanmar, a visit criticized by dissident groups and conservatives who argue that it validates a violent junta accused of massive abuses against its people.

August 13th, 2009 UN council calls on Myanmar to release of Suu KyiUNITED NATIONS — The U.N. Security Council agreed after two days of talks to issue a statement Thursday calling on Myanmar's military government to immediately release opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners.

August 13th, 2009 WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Webb plans to meet with Burma's top official, Senior General Than Shwe, following his arrival Friday in what would be the first-ever meeting between a U.S.

August 8th, 2009 Myanmar opposition unites at UNUNITED NATIONS — Exiled opposition leaders from Myanmar came together at the U.N. on Friday to present a plan for a democratic future in their homeland and ask the U.N.

July 29th, 2009 Obama renews sanctions against MyanmarWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has renewed sanctions against the junta that runs the Southeast Asian country of Myanmar. Congress last week approved the reauthorization of sanctions, first enacted in 2003, targeting imports from Myanmar.

July 17th, 2009 Obama condemns 'outrageous attacks' on IndonesiaWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is condemning a pair of suicide bombings at American hotels in Indonesia on Friday. Investigators say the attacks at two hotels in Jakarta killed eight people and wounded more than 50.

June 26th, 2009 Obama doesn't take apology demand seriouslyWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says he doesn't take seriously the demand from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for an apology. The Iranian leader made that demand while accusing Obama of meddling in Iranian affairs by speaking in support of the demonstrators challenging the results of Iran's election.

May 27th, 2009 WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama has called for Myanmar's military regime to "immediately and unconditionally" release pro-democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi from detention. In a statement issued by the White House Tuesday, Obama repeated the UN Security Council's call last week for the release of all political prisoners in Myanmar, which was formerly called Burma.

May 19th, 2009 LONDON - British prime Minister Gordon Brown has sent a message of personal support and solidarity to the arrested Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, saying that she is "not alone" in her fight to reinstate democracy in Burma. "We should not rest until you are able to play your rightful role in a free and secure Burma.

May 16th, 2009 WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama has formally extended US sanctions against Myanmar amid latest tensions over detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi who was put on trial on charges of allowing a US national to visit her home without permission from the authorities. 'I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency with respect to Burma (Myanmar), and maintain the sanctions against Yangon to respond to this threat,' Obama told the Congress.

January 3rd, 2009 PARIS - The French government late Saturday sharply criticized Israel's military operation in the Gaza Strip, saying it 'complicated' peace efforts. 'France condemns Israel's ground offensive against Gaza just as it condemns the continued rocket attacks' by Hamas against Israel, the French Foreign Ministry said in a statement.