"The Lady of Rangoon" Aung San Suu Kyi could stand for parliament in the next by-elections. The pro-democracy leader was freed from house arrest a year ago. Sincce then, the Burmese government seems to have made concessions, for example by releasing political prisoners and loosening media restrictions. It aims to improve Burma's image abroad and lift economic sanctions imposed by the US and Europe.
This is the sad and disturbing story of a teenage girl from Shan State, Burma. Her parents were shot before her very eyes, and she was then raped by Burmese junta soldiers. Many other women have endured such an ordeal and have sought refuge across the border in Thailand. They claim the Burmese authorities are clearly giving the go-ahead to use rape as a military weapon in operations against ethnic rebellions.
US Senator Jim Webb (pictured) said Sunday that China has an "obligation" to mediate with the Burmese leadership. Webb was speaking after arriving in Thailand with US national John Yettaw, whose release he secured in talks with Burma's ruling junta.
John Yettaw (pictured right), the US citizen detained in Burma for trying to make contact with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi (left), has arrived in Thailand with US Senator Jim Webb, who secured his release in an agreement with the ruling junta.
US Democratic Senator Jim Webb (right) held talks with Burma's junta leader on Saturday and later met with detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi (left). Webb also secured an agreement from the junta to release US national John Yettaw.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (pictured) rebuked Burma's junta leader Than Shwe for denying him a visit to opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, saying that the government had failed to demonstrate a commitment to openness and democracy.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (left) said he was "deeply disappointed" after his request to meet detained Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was denied by the ruling junta’s top general, Than Shwe (at right).
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has attended a rare meeting with Than Shwe, Burma’s reclusive military leader, but received no definite answer to his request to see detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Than Shwe 
