Obama welcomes release of American from Myanmar, says appreciates junta decision

September 24th, 2009 Myanmar's Suu Kyi said to welcome new US approachYANGON, Myanmar — Detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi welcomes a U.S. initiative to step up contacts with Myanmar's military government, a spokesman for her political party said Thursday.

September 8th, 2009 Myanmar pro-democracy party wants offices reopenedYANGON, Myanmar — The pro-democracy party of detained Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi called on the ruling junta Tuesday to allow it to reopen its branch offices, which would be crucial for taking part in next year's planned national elections. The junta has not held elections since 1990, when Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy won in a landslide but was not allowed by the military to take power.

August 30th, 2009 Myanmar says 26 forces, 8 rebels killed at borderYANGON, Myanmar — The Myanmar junta has ended a news blackout about clashes with ethnic rebels near the China border, saying three days of fighting killed 26 government forces and at least eight rebels. A government announcement read aloud on state-run TV news broadcasts said the fighting had ended.

August 18th, 2009 Myanmar junta's media lauds US senator's visitYANGON, Myanmar — Myanmar's government-controlled newspapers on Tuesday lauded the visit of U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, who secured the high-profile release of a jailed American, as "the first step" toward improving relations with Washington.

August 18th, 2009 Myanmar junta's media hail US senator's visitYANGON, Myanmar — Myanmar's government-controlled newspapers on Tuesday hailed the visit of U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, who secured the high-profile release of a jailed American, as "the first step" toward improving relations with Washington.

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 11th, 2009 Suu Kyi to return to house arrestYANGON, Myanmar — A Myanmar court has found pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kui guilty of violating her house arrest, but the head of the military-ruled country says she can serve out a 1½-year sentence under house arrest. The court initially sentenced Suu Kyi on Tuesday to a three-year prison term.

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 26th, 2009 Myanmar criticizes Clinton following ASEAN meetingYANGON, Myanmar — A Myanmar state-run newspaper on Sunday accused U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton of interfering in the affairs of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations after she urged its members to press for more democratic reforms in the country.

July 22nd, 2009 House approves sanctions against MyanmarWASHINGTON — The House has voted to renew sanctions meant to penalize the junta that runs the Southeast Asian country of Myanmar, also called Burma. The resolution approving the reauthorization of the sanctions now goes to the Senate for consideration.

June 26th, 2009 Opposition welcomes UN envoy's arrival in MyanmarYANGON, Myanmar — Myanmar's opposition welcomed the arrival Friday of a U.N. special envoy whose visit to the military-ruled country comes during the trial of their leader, pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi.

May 31st, 2009 Britain renews call to Myanmar to release Suu KyiSINGAPORE — Britain renewed its call for Myanmar's military junta to release opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, saying Sunday that people around the world support her and her followers' struggle for democracy. Britain's Minister for International Defense and Security Ann Taylor used a high-profile regional meeting to show solidarity with Suu Kyi, whose trial for allegedly violating the terms of her house arrest has drawn international outrage.

May 15th, 2009 WASHINGTON - US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton urged the government of Myanmar to immediately release democratic activist Aung San Suu Kyi, calling the latest charges against her 'baseless'. Suu Kyi was taken from house arrest to a prison in Yangon to hear charges related to an unauthorized visit by a US citizen to her home.

May 11th, 2009 Clinton welcomes Iran's release of US journalistWASHINGTON — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is welcoming the release of an American journalist who had been jailed in Iran for four months. Clinton told reporters at the State Department that the Obama administration disputes the spying charges against 32-year-old Roxanna Saberi and objects to the verdict rendered against her by an Iranian court.

May 5th, 2009 Myanmar rejects appeal for Suu Kyi releaseYANGON, Myanmar — Myanmar's junta has rejected an appeal to free pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, whose most recent period of detention will expire May 27, her party spokesman said Tuesday. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate has spent more than 13 of the last 19 years — including the past six — under house arrest in Yangon despite international pressure for her release.