Opposition National League for Democracy officially disbanded 6 May after March decision to boycott polls set for later this year over restrictive electoral laws. Several cabinet ministers resigned from military during month in preparation for elections; PM Thein Sein launched campaign 20 May after late Apr registering new Union Solidarity and Development Party. U.S. Asst Sec State Campbell 10 May met govt officials and opposition including Aung San Suu Kyi; expressed “profound disappointment” about election preparations; U.S. 14 May extended sanctions. Police chief 5 May announced arrest of suspect linked to Apr Rangoon bomb blasts; said 4 members of Vigorous Burmese Student Warriors involved.

10 reported killed, 94 wounded in 3 Rangoon bomb blasts during 15 Apr New Year celebrations raising fears of election violence; no claims of responsibility. Followed by series of blasts at controversial hydropower project in north 17 Apr; unconfirmed reports 4 workers killed. 1 reported killed in 28 Apr blast in Kayah state. Detained opposition NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi 7 Apr said she was pleased with party’s March decision to boycott elections; poll date not yet set. PM Thein Sein, some 20 other junta figures 26 Apr resigned from army in order to contest election as civilians, 29 Apr applied to register new party with electoral commission.

Opposition NLD 29 March voted to boycott elections planned for late 2010 after junta 8 March passed new electoral laws; laws formally annulled NLD’s 1990 election win, banned anyone with criminal convictions from belonging to political party (barring opposition NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners from politics), gave NLD 7 May deadline to register or face dissolution. Suu Kyi 23 March said she was personally against participation in polls. U.S. Asst Sec State Campbell called laws “a setback”. UNSG Ban 10 March said laws fail to meet “expectations” for inclusive poll. Democracy activist Nyi Nyi Aung, imprisoned Feb, released and deported 18 March. UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar Tomas Ojea Quintana 5 March reported on “systematic” human rights violations. Continued reports of army build up in ethnic border regions increased fears of election-related violence. 20 soldiers reportedly killed 19 March by ethnic rebels in Shan state.

Following 15-19 Feb visit, UN special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar Tomas Ojea Quintana said human rights situation remained serious; Quintana denied access to opposition NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi during visit. NLD deputy leader U Tin Oo released 14 Feb after nearly 7 years in prison and house arrest. NLD 10 Feb said Suu Kyi had not yet decided whether party would participate in elections scheduled for this year; junta leader Than Shwe 12 Feb insisted elections would take place “soon”; some analysts expect late 2010. Supreme Court 26 Feb rejected Suu Kyi’s latest appeal against her extended house arrest. Democracy campaigner and U.S. citizen Nyi Nyi Aung sentenced to 5 years prison 10 Feb on charges including carrying false identity card; U.S. embassy urged release, saying charges “politically motivated”. Thai govt 8 Feb suspended planned return of 1,700 Karen refugees to Myanmar amid international concern for their safety.

Junta leader Than Shwe, in 4 Jan Independence Day remarks, urged Burmese to make “correct choices” at scheduled election later this year, did not specify a date; insisted govt’s 7-stage roadmap only way to achieve democracy. Supreme Court 17 Jan began hearing NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s final appeal against her extended house arrest; Home Affairs Minister Maung Oo 21 Jan reportedly said Suu Kyi would be freed in Nov; NLD dismissed comment as “nothing new”. U.S. Asst Sec State Campbell 19 Jan said deepened U.S. diplomatic engagement with junta had so far produced “mixed bag” of results, said further talks planned for near future. 2 state officials reportedly sentenced to death for leaking details to Burmese exile media of secret govt trips to N Korea, Russia. Karen National Union rejected govt claims its members responsible for 26 Jan bomb blasts in Kyaukkyi. Reports late month govt attacks forced more than 2,000 ethnic Karen to flee in east.

In 3rd meeting with govt since Oct, NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi 9 Dec held talks with labour minister and her official govt liaison. State media 9 Dec called Suu Kyi’s Nov offers to meet junta leader Than Shwe and help lift sanctions “highly questionable”. Suu Kyi permitted to leave compound to meet with senior opposition NLD officials 16 Dec, discussed reorganisation of party. Supreme Court 22 Dec agreed to hear appeal against her extended house arrest. UNGA 24 Dec passed resolution condemning rights violations in Myanmar. UNSG Ban 3 Dec announced UN special envoy Gambari to step down to take position as head of UN Sudan mission; no replacement named. At least 7 killed by bomb in market in Karen state 19 Dec; junta blamed Karen National Union. UNODC 14 Dec reported ethnic groups had increased opium production to buy weapons.

In highest-level visit in 14 years, U.S. Asst Sec State Campbell 3 Nov met PM Gen Thein Sein, 4 Nov held talks with NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi; junta leader Than Shwe reportedly snubbed delegation. Campbell’s deputy Scott Marciel later said U.S. to maintain existing sanctions pending progress. Meeting Thein Sein at ASEAN conference in Singapore 15 Nov, U.S. President Obama called for release of all political prisoners including Suu Kyi. U.S. Sec State Clinton 11 Nov urged China, India to push junta for reforms. Suu Kyi 9 Nov expressed support for U.S. policy of direct engagement, thanked junta for allowing visit; 11 Nov sent letter to regime requesting meeting with Than Shwe. UNGA committee for human rights 19 Nov passed resolution condemning regime for abuses, called for 2010 elections to be inclusive. State media 10 Nov reported some separatist armed groups agreed to become border guards as part of govt plan to incorporate their militias.

U.S. Sec State Clinton 23 Sept announced plans for engagement with junta, said sanctions will continue alongside direct talks. Asst Sec State Campbell 28 Sept confirmed start of dialogue, pledged increased humanitarian assistance, 29 Sept met with Burmese UNGA delegation. Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi 24 Sept announced support for U.S. policy shift, said opposition groups need to be part of talks. Speaking before UNGA, PM Gen. Thein Sein 28 Sept demanded end to “unjust” sanctions; met with UNSG Ban. Military govt 18 Sept announced amnesty for 7,114 prisoners, coinciding with 21st anniversary of junta takeover; 25 political prisoners released, including 2 journalists, NLD member Nine Nine. UNSG Ban, NLD welcomed amnesty, continued to call for Suu Kyi release . Suu Kyi’s lawyers 3 Sept filed appeal against her Aug house arrest conviction; court to deliver verdict 2 Oct. China 1 Sept said 2,800 of estimated 37,000 Burmese refugees displaced by Aug conflict between govt and Kokang rebels had returned. UNHCR 2 Sept reported no response from China to its request for access to refugees. Seven small bombs exploded in Yangon suburbs 16, 17 Sept; no casualties, no claim of responsibility.

Trial of NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi, charged with breaching terms of house arrest in May, ended 11 Aug with Suu Kyi sentenced to further 18 months in detention. Verdict widely denounced as tactic by military junta to prevent Suu Kyi participating in 2010 elections; greeted with EU announcement it would toughen sanctions; France and UK call for global arms and economic embargoes; and widespread calls, including from UNSG Ban and Philippines president Arroyo, for Suu Kyi’s release. Thai FM Kasit Piromya 14 Aug said Bangkok calling for ASEAN request for Suu Kyi’s release, while Jakarta 21 Aug reported Southeast Asian officials to pressure FMs for ASEAN call for her release. 13 Aug UNSC statement expressed serious concern over conviction and its political impact, but did not overtly call for release. U.S. Senator Jim Webb mid-Aug met with Gen Than Shwe and Suu Kyi, fuelling speculation over imminent change in U.S. Burma policy. Human Rights Watch 14 Aug reported more than 10,000 displaced in previous 3 weeks by army attacks on ethnic Shan in northeast. Over 30,000 reportedly crossed border to China fleeing late-month fighting between govt and Kokang rebels; 26 soldiers, at least 8 rebels killed in fighting, and 2 Chinese killed, 15 injured by Burmese cannon fire and shooting into China. Myanmar apologised; China urged Myanmar to end military operations, safeguard stability.