UNSG Ban in early-July Burma visit met twice with Gen Than Shwe, urged junta to announce date for elections, engage in national dialogue, allow re-registration of all political parties, release political prisoners including Aung San Suu Kyi; received no concrete commitments from govt, was denied access to Suu Kyi. Military junta 13 July said preparing amnesty offer for political prisoners in response to Ban’s request. Trial of Suu Kyi, charged with breaking terms of house arrest in May, resumed 10 July. Final arguments began 24 July; trial adjourned 31 July with expectation of verdict on 11 Aug. UK official 18 July said EU will impose new sanctions on Burma if Suu Kyi not freed. U.S. Sec State Clinton 22 July appealed to junta to free Suu Kyi, citing possible benefits including direct investment.

Final hearing in trial of NLD leader Aung Sun Suu Kyi postponed 3 June to allow defence appeal against late-May motion barring defence witnesses. Court 9 June readmitted 1 witness, ban on 2 others upheld; trial to resume 3 July. Donors meeting 10 June in Bangkok warned of trial’s effect on post-Nargis cyclone aid. Army launched new offensive against pro-independence Karen National Union (KNU) 3 June; Thai army reported 3,000 Karen fled to Thailand. UN Special Advisor Ibrahim Gambari visited latemonth, prior to planned 3 July visit by UNSG Ban.

NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi on trial for violating terms of house arrest after American national allegedly swam to her home 4 May; with house arrest due to expire 27 May, critics claimed incident pretext to keep her in jail during 2010 elections. Trail began 18 May behind closed doors at Insein jail, Rangoon. Proceedings drew international condemnation and calls for Suu Kyi’s immediate release, including unusually strong 10 May ASEAN statement, UNSC statement 22 May and from EU ministers 25 May. Govt 20 May allowed diplomats, journalists to attend trial, allowed Suu Kyi to speak to 3 foreign diplomats, but outsiders barred again 21 May. Suu Kyi proclaimed innocence 22 May; faces up to 5 years imprisonment if found guilty. Ruling junta claimed dissident group All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF) planted bomb in train station in new capital Naypyidaw 24 May.

EU FMs 27 Apr decided to extend sanctions against Burma, renew calls for release of political prisoners. NLD 29 Apr said will consider taking part in elections if ruling junta meets demands including release of political prisoners, constitutional change, international observers. Vice chairman of ruling junta 11 Apr reportedly told new officers their responsibility to ensure country’s transition to democracy.

Senior U.S. State Dept official met with govt, opposition figures late March in new capital Naypyidaw. NLD urged U.S. talks with ruling junta. U.S. govt said Myanmar policy review, announced Feb, still underway. UN arbitrary detention working group 24 March said NLD opposition leader Suu Kyi’s detention violates international, Burmese law. UN Human Rights Council 27 March passed resolution condemning rights violations, urging political prisoner release. Govt blamed 27 March Rangoon explosion on 2 dissident groups; alleged bomber sole casualty.

NLD, after rare meeting between Suu Kyi and NLD central ctte 16 Feb, issued statement saying sanctions “not beneficial to the country or the people”. U.S. State Sec Clinton, in 17 Feb Jakarta visit, announced Washington reviewing Burma policy in light of inefficacy of sanctions. UN envoy Gambari briefed UNSC 20 Feb on his 7th visit to country, said “no tangible outcome”. Visit included meeting with detained NLD opposition leader Suu Kyi, who reportedly refused to drop preconditions for dialogue with govt. Govt 20 Feb announced release of some 6,000 political prisoners, including 19 political prisoners reportedly freed by govt 21 Feb. Moves followed 5-day visit to country by UN human rights envoy Tomás Quintana.

New Thai FM Kasit signalled shift in neighbour’s relations to Myanmar, noting interest in environmental, human rights concerns. U.S. 15 Jan froze assets of 2 “regime cronies” and further extended existing sanctions. Crackdown on dissent continued in advance of 2010 polls: 9 members of opposition NLD arrested 30 Dec for demonstrating for release of Aung San Suu Kyi; 6 freed 15 Jan. Student activist Bo Min Yu Ko sentenced to 104 years’ imprisonment.

UNSG Ban, in 5 Dec “Friends of Myanmar” meeting, expressed “growing frustration” at political process in Myanmar, but said visit to country unlikely. UN envoy Gambari reportedly encouraging greater economic engagement; U.S. announced $5m in new humanitarian aid to Myanmar 10 Dec. Sar Dar Win, daughter of former dictator Ne Win, released after 6 years’ imprisonment.

Over 80 activists sentenced to terms of up to 65 years in series of secret trials. Those sentenced include leaders of Sept 2007 protests, members of 88 Generation student movement. Bangladesh, Myanmar sent warships to disputed waters in Bay of Bengal in dispute over Myanmar offshore oil and gas exploration and alleged “incursion”; talks 16-17 Nov inconclusive.

UNSG Ban 7 Oct suggested follow-up visit to Myanmar would only be possible if UN given signals it would produce tangible results, including progress towards national reconciliation and release of political prisoners. In 30 Oct New Delhi speech, Ban suggested greater Indian involvement in efforts to resolve conflict in Myanmar. Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Beijing 25 Oct issued joint statement calling for “inclusive political process” including lifting of restrictions on political parties.