International Actions

High Level meetings with Burmese Officials	Support for Opposition	Sanctions
Petitions	International Policy Discussions	Incentives

(For details of each visit please see the table towards the bottom of the page)

UN COMMISSION OF INQUIRY ON BURMA - Developments

Sponsoring
countries

Australia
Canada
The Czech Republic
Estonia
France
Hungary
Ireland
Lithuania
Netherlands
New Zealand
Slovakia
The United Kingdom
The United States of America

UN-LOGO

recommended by:
UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights in Burma, Mr. Tomas Ojea Quintana

China

The Chinese government has launched a diplomatic campaign during the past two months aimed to prevent an international probe into possible war crimes by Burma's military rulers.

Germany

Opposing
countries

High level meetings with Burmese officials

24 Sept 2010		Burma's Foreign Minister Nyan Win will attend the US-Asean summit convened by President Obama in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session.
2 June 2010		The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) held a meeting in Hanoi to mark the 35th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Burma.
9-15 Apr 2010		Burmese Culture Minister Khin Aung Myint visited Vietnam
17 Mar 2010		Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo said he raised his concerns about the Nobel Peace laureate during a meeting with his Burmese counterpart, Nyan Win, on the sidelines of a Non-Aligned Movement conference in Manila.
1 Mar 2010		USDA General Secretary Htay Oo, who is also minister of Agriculture and Irrigation met with Larry Dinger, the chargé d’affaires of the United States Mission in Rangoon. On the same day, he met with British Ambassador Andrew Heyn. Both Western diplomats were expected to raise domestic political issues, including tensions with various ethnic groups, said observers.
17 Jan 2010		Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada met Burmese Foreign Minister Nyan Win
15 Nov 2009		US President Obama met PM Thein Sein
2-3 Oct 2009		Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada met Foreign Minister Nyan Win
29 Sept 2009		US assistant secretary of state Kurt Campbell and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Scott Marciel held their first meeting with Burma’s science minister U Thaung who led a delegation to New York
19 Sept 2009		U.S. Senator Jim Webb had talks with the country's Foreign Minister Nyan Win in Washington DC
31 Jul 2009		Mr Ban met at the United Nations Headquarters with U Than Swe, Myanmar's Permanent Representative to the UN
2 Jun 2009		South Korean President Lee Myung-bak met with Prime Minister Gen Thein Sein
25 May 2009		South African Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ebrahim Ebrahim told Burma’s ambassador designate to Pretoria, Tin Oo Lwin that the South African government has called on the Burmese military regime to release opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, saying it wants to see Burma adopt civilian rule under a democratic multiparty system.
18 May 2009		Burmese Foreign Minister Nyan Win and Japanese Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone, talked over the phone on the first day of Aung San Suu Kyi's court hearing.
17 Apr 2009		Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met Burmese Prime Minister General Thein Sein
17 Mar 2009		Burmese Prime Minister General Thein Sein visited Singapore where the Singaporean government’s named a new orchid at the National Orchid Garden after him.
16- 17 Mar 2009		Prime Minister Thein Sein visited Indonesia, where he met President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
27 Jan 2009		Former Burmese ambassador to the United States, U Ling Myaing visited the US.

Other Meetings

5 Mar 2010

Veteran ethnic Shan politician Ohn Shwe, Thein Than Aung, Nay Myo Wai and Ko Ko Gyi of the Union Democracy Alliance (UDA) met diplomats from Britain, France, Italy and Germany at the German embassy in Rangoon

International Policy Discussions

6 Oct 2010		European and Asian leaders urged Myanmar's junta to release political prisoners and ensure November elections are free and fair, in a statement issued at the close of the Asia Europe Meeting
9 June 2010		UN Chef de Cabinet Vijay Nambiar visited Singapore for talks with the country’s authorities about the situation in Myanmar. He is visiting Asian nations in his capacity as Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Special Adviser on Myanmar
27 May 2010		The nations of Southeast Asia and the European Union urged Burma to ensure forthcoming elections are "credible and transparent" in a communique following a ministerial conference in Madrid
11 May 2010		Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell made a quick visit to Beijing for talks with Chinese officials following a trip to Burma, where he expressed concerns over upcoming elections in the military-ruled nation.
21 Apr 2010		Singapore's Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada agreed in a meeting that upcoming elections in Burma must be transparent, free and fair.
19 Apr 2010		Japan and Malaysia urged Burma to hold 'free, fair and inclusive' general elections during Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak's visit to Tokyo
13 Apr 2010		Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton discussion included issues related to Burma
26 Mar 2010		Japan is due to raise Burma‘s current political situation on the sidelines of the G-8 foreign ministerial meeting in Canada said Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada at a press conference. He warned that Japan will not expand its economic aid to Burma if pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is still barred from the election which due to take place this year. He said that he had made Tokyo's stance clear to Burmese ambassador Hla Myint.
25 Mar 2010		After the closed door meeting of the "Group of Friends on Myanmar" that discussed the country's recently announced electoral laws by the junta, the UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon said he is frustrated and disappointed with Myanmar's military leaders lack of progress in taking their country towards democracy. Vijay Nambiar, the chef-de-cabinet of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, briefed the 15-member body on the current situation in Burma
20 May 2009		Burma was among the many issues discussed 11th China-EU Summit.
4 May 2009		Leaders of the EU and Japan, in a joint statement expressed hope that the Burmese regime would tackle the country’s severe political, structural and economic problems and foster a peaceful transition to a legitimate, democratic and civilian government without delay.
13 Mar 2009		US President Barack Obama discussed Burma when he made a telephone call to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
1 Mar 2009		The heads of state at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit in Cha-am, central Thailand, raised Burmese issues at meetings
28 Feb 2009		The United States continued to highlight Burma in informal conversations with delegates at the 14th Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), said the US Special Envoy to Asean, Scot Marciel
12 Feb 2009		The joint-statement issued by Gambari and Japanese Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone said they agreed to encourage the Burmese junta to hold general elections in 2010 in a form that could be accepted by the international community.

Support for Opposition

30 June 2010		The European Parliamentary Caucus on Burma (EPCB) has sponsored performances of “The Lady of Burma” in honor of Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma's detained Noble Peace Prize winner, on her 65th birthday, which was June 19.
22 June 2010		Eight senior members of the NLD met with Robin Lerner, counsel of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee
10 June 2010		Eric Schwartz, who heads the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration, arrived in Thailand to look into issue regarding asylum-seekers from Myanmar and Laos. He said that if military-ruled Myanmar's upcoming election is not fair, asylum seekers from the country can not be expected to return there.
25 Apr 2010		Burmese activists and community leaders in the United States have urged US Senator Richard Lugar from Indiana to continue pushing for targeted sanctions on Burma’s military rulers.
24 Apr 2010		The United States' Chargé d'Affaires in Rangoon Larry Dinger, accompanied by the embassy's Political/ Economic Chief Jennifer Harhigh, met Central Executive Committee (CEC) members of the National League for Democracy (NLD), Vice President Tin Oo, Win Tin, Khin Maung Swe, Nyunt Wai and Than Htun, to discuss the opposition party's political stance and whether it will participate in this year's election.
9 Oct 2009		Aung San Suu Kyi met deputy heads of the U.S. and Australian missions and the ambassador of Britain, which represented the European Union
Early Oct 2009		Japan embassy officials in Rangoon held a meeting with Win Tin, an executive member of the opposition National League for Democracy.
22 May 2009		Burma’s pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was named recipient of Mahatma Gandhi International Award for Peace and Reconciliation in South Africa.
18 May 2009		British Prime Minister Gordon Brown sent an open letter to Burma’s detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi reiterating his support
24 April 2009		South Korea awarded its highest human rights award “Gwangju Prize for Human Rights” to Burma’s leading student activist Min Ko Naing
30 Mar - 1 Apr 2009		A National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) delegation led by Prime Minister Dr. Sein Win visited East Timor as part of its political trip.
24 Mar 2009		The Prime Minister of Thailand said talks with ethnic rebels, the Karen National Union, depends on the Burmese military junta and the United Nations, reiterating that Thailand supports democratization and national reconciliation in the country

Petitions

13 Oct 2010		@font-face { font-family: "Arial"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: black; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(254, 254, 254); }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }The New Zealand Parliament unanimously passed a motion calling on Myanmar's military junta to 'release all political prisoners arrested for their peaceful opposition to the regime.'
18 June 2010		UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention released an opinion that declared the continued detention of Aung San Suu Kyi illegal.
22 May 2010		@font-face { font-family: "Arial"; }@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } The European Parliament passed a resolution condemning the Burmese regime’s plan to hold a national election “under undemocratic conditions and on the basis of rules which exclude the main democratic opposition”, The passage of the resolution is seen by many observers to be an important victory for the advocacy group Burma Campaign UK (Campaign) based in London
8 May 2010		the United States Senate has passed a unanimous resolution sponsored by Senator Judd Gregg to urge the Obama administration to review its policy of engagement with the Burmese military junta
5 May 2010		US Senator Mitch McConnell called on his fellow lawmakers to join him in support of sanctions against the Burmese regime for not making any “tangible progress” in democratic reforms
4 May 2010		United Nations special rights envoy to Burma Tomas Ojea Quintana urged the country’s junta to take steps to fulfil its promise of a smooth transition from military rule by releasing all political prisoners
20 Apr 2010		The upper house of Parliament in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) passed a unanimous resolution not to acknowledge Burma's election unless Burma's ruling junta revises the 2008 Constitution and releases all political prisoners, including main opposition leader Aung San Su Kyi.
20 Apr 2010		US senator Judd Gregg has introduced a resolution calling on US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to assess whether the Obama administration policy of engagement with the Burmese military junta has been effective in furthering US interests. Senators co-sponsoring the resolution were Judd Greg, Mitch McConnell, Bob Bennett, Sam Brownback, Susan M. Collins, Joseph Lieberman and Patrick Leahy.
19 Apr 2010		Leaders at the annual ASEAN summit urged fellow member Burma to hold a fair election and include all political parties.
30 Mar 2010		Nine US senators across the political spectrum called for tighter sanctions on Burma's military regime to persuade it not to hold elections that effectively bar key opposition leaders. In the letter to President Barack Obama, the senators agreed with the administration that election laws made a "mockery" of democracy but called for a more robust response.
17 Mar 2010		Indian Parliamentarians' Forum for Democracy in Burma made up of Indian MPs has urged the government of India to put pressure on the Burmese junta to start a dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi and hold free and fair elections, and urged the Indian government to work with the Secretary General of the United Nations calling for unconditional release of Aung San Suu Kyi and for the national reconciliation in Burma.
9 Mar 2010		Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta launched a worldwide petition for democracy in Burma, which also calls for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi ahead of the election due sometime in 2010.
8 Mar 2010		UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon wrote a letter to Burmese Snr-Gen Than Shwe expressing concern over the lack of progress in restoration of democracy in Burma and emphasizing the need for a credible and transparent election later this year
4 Mar 2010		In a meeting with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in New York , three activists, including two Nobel Peace Prize winners, called on the UN Security Council to refer Burma's junta to the International Criminal Court for its abuses against women.
26 Feb 2010		Rep. Howard L. Berman (D-Calif.), chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs called for the administration to increase the pressure on Burma, including tightening sanctions on the regime. Berman said "Recent events have raised the profile of humanitarian issues there...Support is growing for more action in addition to ongoing efforts."
11 Jun 2009		The German and French Heads-of-State, Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy, during a joint news conference in Paris declared they are trying to enlist the assistance of China and India to exert further pressure on Burma's military authorities concerning the trial of Aung San Suu Kyi.
10 Jun 2009		At least 70 Japanese Parliamentarians led by the Union of Japanese Diet Members for the support of Democracy in Burma (GIREN) urged the government to push for a six-party type of talks concerning Burma, inclusive of regional countries and China.
10 Jun 2009		118 Indian Members of Parliament called on Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to press Burma's military regime to release Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and restore democracy to the country
2 Jun 2009		Several organizations including the Foreign Affairs Committee of The Senate of Thailand and the Thai Action Committee for Democracy in Burma (TACDB) organized a conference “Roles of Thailand and ASEAN in Democracy Development in Burma; a case of Aung San Suu Kyi ” , in the Thai Parliament in Bangkok.
28 May 2009		Thirty senators of Thailand submitted a petition to the Burmese military junta urging that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi be released and the creation of a favourable ambience for political stability in the country
14 May 2009		US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says she will raise the imprisonment of Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi with the UN, Burma’s partners within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean)—and even China.
16 Apr 2009		Eleven influential US women senators wrote a joint letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urging him to press the Burmese regime to abandon plans for a general election in 2010, saying they were based on a “unilaterally drafted constitution that violates international law.”
7 Apr 2009		Seventeen members of the US Congress wrote to Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, asking for the appointment of a special envoy for military-ruled Burma
24 Mar 2009		A UN working group on arbitrary detention, in its opinion No. 46/2008, for the first time stated that the continued detention of Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi violates domestic law.
25 Feb 2009		East Timorese President Jose Ramos-Horta called on the United States to use the “international goodwill” generated by Barack Obama’s historic presidency to help end Burma’s political crisis.

Incentives

25-26 Mar 2010		The US armed forces is ready to re-engage with Burma's ruling junta in a military-to-military dialogue if there is any change in Washington's policy toward the Southeast Asian country, a top US military official Adm Robert Willard, Commander of the US Pacific Command told Senate and House Armed Services Committees.
15 Mar 2010		The Australian government expressed support for investigating possible options to establish a United Nations commission of inquiry to investigate crimes against humanity in Burma at a UN Human Rights Council meeting
2 Mar 2010		The European Union announced the allocation of 17.25 million euros (23.4 million dollars) in humanitarian aid for Myanmar's "vulnerable people", specifically ethnic nationalities on the border this year.
8 Feb 2010		Australia announced a 40 per cent increase in humanitarian aid
2 Feb 2010		US President Barack Obama earmarked $36.5 million in his 2011 budget to support democracy and humanitarian programs for Burma and along the Thai-Burma border
7 Nov 2009		Japanese Prime Minister Hatoyama met PM Thein Sein on the sidelines of Mekong-Japan Summit, offering more aid if it releases political prisoners, namely Aung San Suu Kyi, and resumes dialogue with the opposition.
23 Sept 2009		U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced that Washington would shift its policy towards Burma by direct engagement with it while keeping sanctions in place
19 Jun 2009		The Japanese government provided 4 million U.S. dollars' aid for carrying out water supply and sanitary projects in Myanmar's cyclone-hit areas
30 Mar 2009		Thailand has said it is ready to assist Burma in its process of political reconciliation, airing the position during the 15th anniversary of the Council of Asian Liberal Democracy (CALD) held in Bangkok
25 Mar 2009		Stephen Blake, the director of the US State Department’s Office of Mainland Southeast Asia said that Sanctions may be withdrawn while other targeted sanctions may remain in place.
16 Mar 2009		Five Burmese military officials receive training on how to conduct an election in Japan.

Sanctions & International Legal action

30 June 2010	A key US Senate panel voted overwhelmingly to renew for one year a ban on imports from Burma over alleged human rights abuses by its military rulers.
28 June 2010	A “People’s Court” in Japan passed its verdict to put the Burmese military regime on trial at the International Criminal Court for its crimes against women in Burma.
14 May 2010	US President Barack Obama extended sanctions against Burma for one more year, arguing that the policies of the military junta continue to pose a threat to America’s national security interests and its foreign policy. Obama said the “actions and policies of the Burmese military junta are hostile to US interests and pose a continuing unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy” of the country.
26 Apr 2010	The EU extended its sanctions against Burma and called on the military regime to stop “violation of international human rights and humanitarian law” but offered to hold direct talks with the junta.
8 Apr 2010	The Czech Republic became the third country to back the recommendation made by UN human rights Special Rapporteur on Burma, Tomas Ojea Quintana, that the UN Security Council examine setting up a Commission of Inquiry into war crimes and crimes against humanity in Burma
15 Mar 2009	U.N. Investigator Tomas Ojea Quintana submitted his report to the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, accusing the Burmese government of systematic and gross violations and that some of these violations might entail crimes against humanity. calling for an international commission of inquiry to look into serious cases of abuse, which he says may entail crimes against humanity. The Burmese representative at the United Nations strongly condemns and rejects, what he calls unfounded allegations. He says the U.N. investigator's report is based on disinformation coming from unverifiable and unreliable sources.
12 Mar 2009	UN special envoy Tomas Ojea Quintana called for an investigation into whether the Burmese regime is guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity in his report following his visit to the country in February. The report is to be examined on 15 March by the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
14 Aug 2009	The European Union added four state-run media outlets to its list of Burmese sanctions targets in response to the court ruling against pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
28 July 2009	U.S. President Barack Obama signed into law a congressional resolution extending restrictions on imports from Burma contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003.
19 Jun 2009	Europe agreed to step up sanctions and take further targeted measures against the Burmese regime
15 May 2009	United States’ President Barrack Obama formally extended sanctions against Burma for another year, saying the actions and policies of Burma’s ruling junta has not changed and continues to be hostile towards the US and it’s foreign policy.
27 Apr 2009	The EU extended its common position on Burma for one more year, saying that the political and socio-economic challenges in Burma “can only be addressed through genuine dialogue with all stakeholders, including ethnic groups.”
15 Jan 2009	The United States froze assets of two Burmese businessmen Win Aung and Zaw Zaw, and their business entities accounting for 14 companies for aiding the military rulers of the country.

Policy reports

1 Aug 2010	NDI	Washington-based National Democratic Institute (NDI) released findings of its research in “Burma’s 2010 Electoral Framework: Fundamentally Undemocratic.”
10 May 2010	USA	An internal congressional report by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) has told US lawmakers that the results of the 2010 general election in Burma may be a strong indicator of the potential for political change in the country. The report is titled “Burma's 2010 Elections: Implications of the New Constitution and Election Laws” and written by Michael F. Martin
31 Mar 2010	Asia Society	The Asia Society, a Washington-based research group, released a new report on U.S.-Burma policy that urges the Obama administration to continue efforts to engage the country's military leaders. The report was co-chaired by retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark, a 2004 Democratic presidential candidate, and by Henrietta Fore, former Republican President George W. Bush's head of the U.S. Agency for International Development.
17 Mar 2010	Network Myanmar	A new study Derek Tonkin, Chairman of Network Myanmar and a former British ambassador to Thailand dealing with the announced 2010 election laws appeals to domestic and international voices often critical of Burma’s ruling military to step back and conduct a realistic assessment of the political landscape in Burma and the corresponding significance associated with the election laws.

Detailed list:

2010.10.27	Philippines	Philippine Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo called Burma's election "a farce" ahead of the Asean summit.
2010.10.26	China	The Chinese government has launched a diplomatic campaign during the past two months aimed to prevent an international probe into possible war crimes by Burma's military rulers.
2010.10.26	Indonesia	Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said that while there was no official agenda for the discussion of Myanmar issues during the summit, members would set aside time for this during a session on regional and global current affairs.
2010.10.26	UN	UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon again pressed Burma's military government to release political prisoners to ensure credibility for its elections next month during a press conference in Bangkok. Ban Ki-moon says the elections are a test for Burma in its progress toward democracy.
2010.10.22	Thailand	Thailand will not forcefully repatriate Burmese refugees staying on the Thai-Burmese border and only repatriate them when peace prevails in Burma, said Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya.
2010.10.20	UN	Burma's United Nations Ambassador, Thant Kyaw, told a UN committee that Burma has no political prisoners.
2010.10.18	Indonesia	The Indonesian government has criticised the Burmese regime’s announcement that foreign reporters and monitors would be barred from covering the first national election in 20 years. “The planned election, long awaited both by the Myanmarese and the international community, would serve its purpose best with thorough media coverage,” Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesman Teuku Faizasyah told The Jakarta Post
2010.10.18	USA	US State Department spokesman P. J. Crowley said restrictions imposed on foreign media and outside election observers on access to the Nov. 7 elections in Burma are “unfortunate” and a sign of continued rigidity of the country's military rulers.
2010.10.15	UN	UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said: “Myanmar’s lack of engagement is deeply frustrating, as it not only contradicts its stated policy of cooperation with the United Nations but also limits my ability to fully implement the mandate entrusted to me by the General Assembly.” He also urged the government to release Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners ahead of the elections as this would be a signal of their commitment to a credible electoral process.
2010.10.13	UN	An estimated 2,100 political prisoners, including student leaders, monks, pro-democracy leaders, and ethnic minority leaders must be released before the Nov. 7 vote, said Tomas Ojea Quintana, special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar.
2010.10.13	New Zealand	The New Zealand Parliament unanimously passed a motion calling on Myanmar's military junta to 'release all political prisoners arrested for their peaceful opposition to the regime.' A former prisoner, Aung Khaing Min, who has been brought to New Zealand by Amnesty International to speak about his experiences and the fight for democracy in the Asian country, was in the public gallery when the motion was passed. He also appeared before parliament's Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade select committee on Thursday, 14 October where he said the Myanmar election is a "foregone conclusion"
2010.10.13	USA	Washington hopes that whatever government emerges from general elections in Myanmar will proceed along a new path, a U.S. State Department spokesman said
2010.10.12	India	Senior General Than Shwe received a goodwill delegation led by the Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee and Chief of Army Staff of Indian Army General Deepak Kapoor, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, ADC at the Bayintnaung Yeiktha
2010.10.11	Thailand	Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva visited Burma to discuss bilateral cooperation, border issues and Burma's upcoming election. He said that Myanmar has rejected any help to carry out its upcoming election.
2010.10.06	ASEM	European and Asian leaders urged Myanmar's junta to release political prisoners and ensure November elections are free and fair, in a statement issued at the close of the Asia Europe Meeting
2010.10.06	IPU	The human rights committee of the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) called on Myanmar to immediately release 12 lawmakers from jail ahead of elections next month.
2010.10.01-03	Laos	Senior General Than Shwe made a state visit to Laos and briefed the president on preparations for the country's upcoming elections. The official Burmese news said that the Laotain president expressed full support of Burma's elections.
2010.09.30	EU	Pye Phyo Tay Za, the son of Tay Za, a businessman with close links to Burma's military government, is appealing a decision taken earlier this year which maintains European Union (EU) financial sanctions and travel ban against him.
2010.09.30	India	India’s National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon said that November elections in Burma may offer hope for the country's future
2010.09.30	USA	Congressman Joseph Crowley called on the Burmese military regime to set Aung San Suu Kyi free and says rumors that she will be released in November are a ploy to gain legitimacy in the upcoming election.
2010.09.29	Lithuania	Lithuania has joined the growing list of countries supporting calls for a UN commission of inquiry into the Burmese junta’s documented cases of human rights abuses, after France and Ireland in the past week
2010.09.28	Korea	Myanmar-Korea Economic Forum jointly organized by Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development and the Korean Embassy, was held in conjunction with paperreading session at Thingaha Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw Hotel Zone
2010.09.27	UN	UN chief Ban Ki-moon has warned Asian nations that their credibility could suffer if they do not take a tougher line with the Myanmar junta ahead of a national election in November.
2010.09.27	UN	UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon convened a meeting of his 14-nation “Group of Friends” on Burma to discuss the current situation in the country and the Nov. 7 general election
2010.09.27	UN	A UN ministerial group said Myanmar's upcoming election will not be credible unless the military rulers release Nobel prize-winning opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi
2010.09.24	ASEAN + UN	United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon made an appeal to the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to help him move Burma towards genuine democracy.
2010.09.24	ASEAN + USA	A summit held between US President Barack Obama and leaders from Southeast Asia is being heralded as a potentially defining moment in relations between Washington and Southeast Asian governments, offering an opportunity “to align divergent policies ahead of elections” in Burma.
2010.09.22	China	Myanmar’s Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development (MNPED) announced China has agreed to give Burma a 30 billion yuan (US$ 4.2 billion) interest-free loan as agreed during Senior General Than Shwe's five-day state visit to China from 7 to 11 September.
2010.09.22	The Netherlands and New Zealand	The Netherlands and New Zealand giving their approval to a proposed UN Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to investigate war crime in Burma
2010.09.21	VIetnam	Two-way trade revenue between Vietnam and Myanmar increased by more than 58 per cent year-on-year to US$73 million in the first eight months of the year, according to statistics from the Myanmar Customs Office.
2010.09.17	France	French representative Jean-Baptiste Mattei expressed at a UN Human Rights Council meeting last Friday his government’s support to “establish an international commission of inquiry” on human rights abuses in Burma. France is now the eighth nation to come out in support of the UN launching a commission of inquiry on Burma, joining Australia, Britain, Canada, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and the United States
2010.09.16	China	Chinese delegation led by Secretariat Member of Communist Party of China Central Committee of the People’s Republic of China Deputy Secretary of CPC Central Commission of Discipline Inspection Mr. He Yong visited Burma. Invited by SPDC member U Tin Aye, He also met Prime Minster Thein Sein, Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation U Htay Oo, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyan Win, Deputy Minister for Home Affairs U Phone Swe, the director-general of the Government Office and departmental heads.
2010.09.16	UK	British Foreign Secretary William Hague has condemned the November 7 Burmese election, calling it “a sham” designed to keep the military regime in power, even after the polls.
2010.09.16	USA	US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell said“We have been in close consultations with all our friends in the region about our intentions which are to keep the door open, work towards a comprehensive dialogue with the regime, and follow on with its successors with the recognition that it is among all the difficult options the best possible way to go forward”.
2010.09.15	UN	UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed “concern” over the Burmese military junta's move to dissolve 10 political parties in the run-up to the November general election.
2010.09.07-10	China	Snr-Gen Than Shwe will make a four-day visit with stops in Beijing and at the Shanghai Expo.
2010.09.07	Japan	Minister for Industry-2 U Soe Thein received five Japanese MPs led by former member of House of Councillors of Japan as well as President of the Myanmar-Japan Friendship Association Mr Hideo Watanabe at his office. The two sides held talks about industrial development and technology assistance.
2010.09.06	South Korea	South Korea's investment in Myanmar has risen 10 times in the first four months of the fiscal year 2010-11, hitting 2.658 billion U.S. dollars as of July 2010 since 1988, the local Weekly Eleven News reported
2010.09.04	Bangladesh	Tripura Director General of Police (DGP) Pranay Sahay has said the terrorist outfits of the northeast are under extreme pressure and are in the process of shifting their base camps to Myanmar following a crackdown by the Bangladesh army.
2010.09.04	India	Trade ministers from the four northeastern Indian states bordering Burma are set to meet Burmese trade and investment delegates this month in the military-ruled country in a bid to boost border trade and overcome hurdles, an Indian Chamber of Commerce official said.
2010.09.04	US	Burma's Foreign Minister Nyan Win will attend the US-Asean summit convened by President Obama later this month in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session.
2010.09.02-5	China	A five-member delegation headed by Mr Yan Chengsheng, director of Asian, African and Latin American Affairs Department of State Administration of Radio, Film and Television General Bureau of the People’s Republic of China visited Burma
2010.09.01	UK	In a letter to the advocacy group Burma Campaign-UK, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said Britain had not ruled out a United Nations commission of inquiry into alleged crimes against humanity committed by the military regime.
2010.08.31	Canada	New Democrat Leader Jack Layton (Toronto-Danforth) said Canada should add its support for the establishment of a UN Commission of Inquiry into alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes committed by the military regime in Burma
2010.08.31	USA	The US Administration announced that it will not accept Snr-Gen Than Shwe as the post-election civilian ruler of Burma if he resigns his post as head of the country's armed forces but continues to wield power in a leadership role.
2010.08.29	China	The 5th Escort Task group of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA)- Navy made a friendly call at Myanmar Yangon's Thilawa Port.
2010.08.26	ASEAN	The secretary-general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), Surin Pitsuwan, said he hopes there will be freedom of speech and travel prior to the upcoming Burmese elections on Nov. 7.
2010.08.26	India	Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said India believes that neighbouring Myanmar has no nuclear programme but is monitoring developments closely
2010.08.26	Japan	A five-member delegation of Japan- Myanmar Friendship Parliamentarian League led by former Member of the House of Councillors of Japan Mr Hideo Watanabe called on Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation U Htay Oo
2010.08.24	India	The ruling party in India’s northeastern border Mizoram State said it would like Burmese elections planned for November 7 to be free and fair.
2010.08.24	USA	A US Senior Administration official told reporters that he did not project any discussions with Burma in the near future
2010.08.19	South Korea	South Korean Vice foreign minister Shin Kak-soo paying a four day visit Burma and will raise the issue of controversial military ties between Burma and North Korea, as well as encourage the government to ensure that elections slated for 7 November this year are open
2010.08.19-23	Timor-Leste	A Myanmar delegation led by Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyan Win paid an official visit to Democratic Republic of Timor Leste. He met President Mr Jose Ramos-Horta, President of the National Parliament Mr Fernando Lassama de Aroujo, Vice- Prime Minister Mr Jose Luis Guterres, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Zacarias Albano Da Costa and Deputy Chief of Timor Leste Defence Force Brig-Gen Lere Anang Timor.
2010.08.18	USA	The United States joined countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia in the creation of a U.N.-led commission to investigate alleged war crimes by Myanmar's military junta.
2010.08.17	ASEAN	THE Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) said it welcomed Myanmar's planned November 7 elections
2010.08.16	Canada	Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon said Canada has "serious concerns" that elections in Myanmar (Burma) later this year will be held under "oppressive conditions"
2010.08.14	EU	A statement released by the British Embassy in Yangon on behalf of other EU nations with missions in the country said: "If these elections are to have legitimacy in the eyes of the people of (Myanmar) and the wider international community, the authorities must ensure that all parties can campaign freely and that the polling process itself is free and fair"
2010.08.14	UN	UN secretary-general Ban Ki-Moon called for the release political prisoners before the election
2010.08.13	UN	Secretary General Ban Ki-moon took note of Myanmar's announcement of the date for general elections, but he reminded the country to abide by pledges for a credible poll
2010.08.09	UN	UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said at his monthly press briefing that: "In Myanmar, my special adviser (Vijay Nambiar) and I are deploying every effort to continue to engage with the authorities...It is a source of frustration ... that Myanmar has been unresponsive so far to these efforts" to engage it...A lack of cooperation at this critical moment represents nothing less than a lost opportunity for Myanmar."
2010.08.06	Thailand	Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to visit Burma
2010.08.06-	UN	United Nations special envoy on human rights in Burma, Tomas Ojea Quintana visited Thailand to meet Burmese pro-democracy activists in order to collect information to submit to the UN General Assembly in November.
2010.08.01	NDI	Washington-based National Democratic Institute (NDI) released findings of its research in “Burma’s 2010 Electoral Framework: Fundamentally Undemocratic.”
2010.07.31	Thailand	Thailand’s sole purveyor of natural gas, PTT, in Naypyidaw today signed a 30-year gas sales deal with affiliate PTT Exploration and Production and the junta-run Myanma (sic) Oil and Gas Enterprise
2010.07.30	USA	Thirty-two US senators urged Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to back the creation of a special UN commission to investigate possible crimes against humanity and war crimes in Burma.
2010.07.29-08.01	North Korea	North Korea's foreign minister made a four-day trip to Burma as part of his four-nation tour
2010.07.27	Indonesia	Indonesian Foreign Minister Natalegawa stressed that Indonesia believes that the election is not the solution to Burma’s problem. Nevertheless; it is a part of the process to reach a settlement.
2010.07.25-29	India	Burma's military leader, Snr-Gen Than Shwe, will visit India from July 25 to 29, his second visit in six years. On the 27th India and Burma signed a total of five agreements covering a wide range of subjects including enhanced co-operation in the field of energy resources as well as development, to cross border security.
2010.07.23	Bangladesh	Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dipu Moni met with Myanmar’s Foreign Minister U Nyan Win on Thursday on the sideline of the 17th ASEAN Regional Forum Ministerial Meeting in Hanoi
2010.07.23	USA	The Obama administration called on New Delhi to tell the Burmese junta leader that it is time for Burma to change during his upcoming state visit to India.
2010.07.22	USA	The US Congress on Thursday renewed a ban on imports from Burma for another year, seeking to pressure the military regime over human rights and democracy as well as alleged ties to North Korea.
2010.07.21	ASEAN	Burma’s foreign minister Nyan Win told ASEAN secretary general Surin Pitsuwan that he will run for parliament in elections later this year
2010.07.20	Thailand	Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva cancels his second planned visit to Burma as the leaders of both countries have been unable to coordinate their schedules
2010.07.19-29	ASEAN	ASEAN Foreign ministers urged Burma to hold free and fair elections at the ASEAN foreign ministers meeting and offered to send election monitors. They did not push for the release the of Aung San Suu Kyi. The election date is expected to be released after the registration process of parties is completed
2010.07.19	Multilateral	Tension on the Korean peninsula, elections in Burma and the question of whether the former Burma is developing nuclear arms will top the agenda of meetings of Asian foreign ministers this week in Vietnam.
2010.07.18	UK	Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Jeremy Browne said the new British government supported London's long-standing policy of applying pressure on Burma to improve its political and human rights record. He also said that "The British government remains very disappointed about the past activities of the regime in Burma. We do not regard the coming election as a legitimate expression of public opinion,"
2010.07.14	ILO	ILO says it is calling for for Trade Union Revival in Burma as the new constitution says that workers have a right to organize and have workers’ representatives
2010.07.14	USA	The US House of Representative renewed sanctions on Burma for another year as the military junta continued to violate the human rights of its own people and has not moved towards the restoration of democracy.
2010.07.13	Laos	Burmese official media hail 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties with Laos
2010.07.13	Vietnam	The Vietnamese ambassador to Burma told a meeting in HCM City that Burma is a promising market for investment and export.
2010.07.12	USA	The Obama administration said the Burmese general election as scheduled is “flawed” and that the military government has not taken any step towards establishing democracy in the country.
2010.07.11	South Korea	South Korea will provide more information and technology assistance to Burma to help the country manage agricultural production
2010.07.09	Thailand	Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he would pay his first official visit to Burma next month
2010.07.08	ASEAN	Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement U Maung Maung Swe received Special Envoy to the ASEAN Secretary- General Dr William Sabandar of the Coordination Office For the ASEAN Humanitarian Task Force at the Ministry
2010.07.08	Vietnam	The Vietnam Airline will launch a new air route to directly link Ho Chi Minh city with Burma's Yangon to enhance trade between the two countries, the local Myanmar Newsweek reported
2010.07.07	South Korea	Vice-Presidents, CEC Members and Executives of Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry met Secretary Mr. Lee Ileui-Tae of National Agricultural Production Management Division under the Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea and party at UMFCCI Office. They discussed provision of information and technology assistance to Burma from ROK.
2010.07.04-12	China	Tin Aung Myint Oo, first secretary of the State Peace and Development Council visited Beijing, Qingdao, Dalian and Shanghai. He met Li Changchun, the 5th ranked member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC). and Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang who pledged to speed up and expand cooperation with Burma on energy and transport.
2010.07.03	USA	US Secretary Of State Hilary Clinton criticises Burma at a high level conference on democracy in Poland
2010.07.01	EU	A scheduled European Union high-level visit to Burma was cancelled recently after the Burmese ruling junta denied a request from the EU Presidency Council to meet pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
22 May 2010	EU	The European Parliament passed a resolution condemning the Burmese regime’s plan to hold a national election “under undemocratic conditions and on the basis of rules which exclude the main democratic opposition”, The passage of the resolution is seen by many observers to be an important victory for the advocacy group Burma Campaign UK (Campaign) based in London
19-20 May 2010	Czech Republic	An official delegation to Burma from the Czech Republic led by Jiri Sitler, Deputy Foreign Minister, met NLD leaders such as Tin Oo, vice-chairman of the NLD, Win Tin, Nyan Win, Ohn Kyaing and Han Thar Myint at the British Club in Rangoon. the Czech delegation alsomet with regime authorities in Naypyidaw, but the state-run New Light of Myanmar did not report the delegation's visit.
14 May 2010	USA	US President Barack Obama extended sanctions against Burma for one more year, arguing that the policies of the military junta continue to pose a threat to America’s national security interests and its foreign policy. Obama said the “actions and policies of the Burmese military junta are hostile to US interests and pose a continuing unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy” of the country.
11 May 2010	USA	Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell made a quick visit to Beijing for talks with Chinese officials following a trip to Burma, where he expressed concerns over upcoming elections in the military-ruled nation.
10 May 2010	USA	An internal congressional report by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) has told US lawmakers that the results of the 2010 general election in Burma may be a strong indicator of the potential for political change in the country. The report is titled “Burma's 2010 Elections: Implications of the New Constitution and Election Laws” and written by Michael F. Martin
10 May 2010	USA	US Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell visited Burma and met Aung San Suu Kyi, fellow members of her former National League for Democracy (NLD) and government officials
26 Apr 2010	EU	The EU extended its sanctions against Burma and called on the military regime to stop “violation of international human rights and humanitarian law” but offered to hold direct talks with the junta. The EU foreign ministers said they do not see Burma moving to democratic rule and again called for the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
25 Apr 2010	US	Burmese activists and community leaders in the United States have urged US Senator Richard Lugar to continue pushing for targeted sanctions on Burma’s military rulers. The meeting was held in the senator’s electorate of Indiana state for feedback about Obama's policy towards Burma.
21 Apr 2010	Japan + Singapore	Singapore's Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada agreed in a meeting that upcoming elections in Burma must be transparent, free and fair.
20 Apr 2010	Australia	The upper house of Parliament in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) passed a unanimous resolution not to acknowledge Burma's election unless Burma's ruling junta revises the 2008 Constitution and releases all political prisoners, including main opposition leader Aung San Su Kyi.
20 Apr 2010	USA	US senator Judd Gregg has introduced a resolution calling on US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to assess whether the Obama administration policy of engagement with the Burmese military junta has been effective in furthering US interests. Senators co-sponsoring the resolution were Judd Greg, Mitch McConnell, Bob Bennett, Sam Brownback, Susan M. Collins, Joseph Lieberman and Patrick Leahy.
19 Apr 2010	EU	The European Union hopes to send an "exploratory mission" to Burma to discuss with the military junta the country's upcoming elections and also calls on Burmese military leaders "to cooperate fully" with Piero Fassino, its special envoy to the country, in a text approved by representatives of the 27 European Union nations which will be formally adopted by EU foreign ministers.
19 Apr 2010	Japan + Malaysia	Japan and Malaysia urged Burma to hold 'free, fair and inclusive' general elections during Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak's visit to Tokyo
13 Apr 2010	Singapore + USA	Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton discussion included issues related to Burma
9-15 Apr 2010	Vietnam	Burmese Culture Minister Khin Aung Myint visited Vietnam
9 Apr 2010	ASEAN	Leaders at the annual ASEAN summit urged fellow member Burma to hold a fair election and include all political parties.
2-4 Apr 2010	Vietnam	Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung met with Burma's junta leader Than Shwe in Naypyidaw and signed economic pacts
1 Apr 2010	Indonesia	Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. R.M Marty M. Natalegawa met Burmese Prime Minister Thein Sein in Naypyidaw
30 Mar 2010	USA	Nine US senators across the political spectrum called for tighter sanctions on Burma's military regime to persuade it not to hold elections that effectively bar key opposition leaders. In the letter to President Barack Obama, the senators agreed with the administration that election laws made a "mockery" of democracy but called for a more robust response.
26 Mar 2010	Japan	Japan is due to raise Burma‘s current political situation on the sidelines of the G-8 foreign ministerial meeting in Canada said Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada at a press conference. He warned that Japan will not expand its economic aid to Burma if pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is still barred from the election which due to take place this year. He said that he had made Tokyo's stance clear to Burmese ambassador Hla Myint.
25-26 Mar 2010	USA	The US armed forces is ready to re-engage with Burma's ruling junta in a military-to-military dialogue if there is any change in Washington's policy toward the Southeast Asian country, a top US military official Adm Robert Willard, Commander of the US Pacific Command told Senate and House Armed Services Committees.
25 Mar 2010	UN	After the closed door meeting of the "Group of Friends on Myanmar" that discussed the country's recently announced electoral laws by the junta, the UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon said he is frustrated and disappointed with Myanmar's military leaders lack of progress in taking their country towards democracy. Vijay Nambiar, the chef-de-cabinet of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, briefed the 15-member body on the current situation in Burma
17 Mar 2010	India	Indian Parliamentarians' Forum for Democracy in Burma made up of Indian MPs has urged the government of India to put pressure on the Burmese junta to start a dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi and hold free and fair elections, and urged the Indian government to work with the Secretary General of the United Nations calling for unconditional release of Aung San Suu Kyi and for the national reconciliation in Burma.
17 Mar 2010	Network Myanmar	A new study Derek Tonkin, Chairman of Network Myanmar and a former British ambassador to Thailand dealing with the announced 2010 election laws appeals to domestic and international voices often critical of Burma’s ruling military to step back and conduct a realistic assessment of the political landscape in Burma and the corresponding significance associated with the election laws.
17 Mar 2010	Philippines	Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo said he raised his concerns about the Nobel Peace laureate during a meeting with his Burmese counterpart, Nyan Win, on the sidelines of a Non-Aligned Movement conference in Manila.
15 Mar 2010	Australia	The Australian government expressed support for investigating possible options to establish a United Nations commission of inquiry to investigate crimes against humanity in Burma at a UN Human Rights Council meeting
15 Mar 2010	UN	U.N. Investigator Tomas Ojea Quintana submitted his report to the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, accusing the Burmese government of systematic and gross violations and that some of these violations might entail crimes against humanity. calling for an international commission of inquiry to look into serious cases of abuse, which he says may entail crimes against humanity. The Burmese representative at the United Nations strongly condemns and rejects, what he calls unfounded allegations. He says the U.N. investigator's report is based on disinformation coming from unverifiable and unreliable sources.
12 Mar 2010	UN	UN special envoy Tomas Ojea Quintana called for an investigation into whether the Burmese regime is guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity in his report following his visit to the country in February. The report is to be examined on 15 March by the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
9 Mar 2010	Timor-Leste	Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta launched a worldwide petition for democracy in Burma, which also calls for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi ahead of the election due sometime in 2010.
5 Mar 2010	UK, France, Italy and Germany	Veteran ethnic Shan politician Ohn Shwe, Thein Than Aung, Nay Myo Wai and Ko Ko Gyi of the Union Democracy Alliance (UDA) met diplomats from Britain, France, Italy and Germany at the German embassy in Rangoon
4 Mar 2010	China	A goodwill delegation of the Communist Party of China (CPC) led by Wang Jiarui, head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, was invited by Htay Oo, secretary general of the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) of Myanmar. He also met with Prime Minister Thein Sein and Myanmar Foreign Minister U Nyan Win separately.
4 Mar 2010	Nobel Peace Price Laureates	In a meeting with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in New York , three activists, including two Nobel Peace Prize winners, called on the UN Security Council to refer Burma's junta to the International Criminal Court for its abuses against women.
2 Mar 2010	EU	The European Union announced the allocation of 17.25 million euros (23.4 million dollars) in humanitarian aid for Myanmar's "vulnerable people" this year. The aid is to be provided through the European Commission's Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO) and will go to ethnic minority groups living in Burma's frontier areas and refugees located in camps in Thailand.
1 Mar 2010	US + UK	USDA General Secretary Htay Oo, who is also minister of Agriculture and Irrigation met with Larry Dinger, the chargé d’affaires of the United States Mission in Rangoon. On the same day, he met with British Ambassador Andrew Heyn. Both Western diplomats were expected to raise domestic political issues, including tensions with various ethnic groups, said observers.
26 Feb 2010	USA	Rep. Howard L. Berman (D-Calif.), chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs called for the administration to increase the pressure on Burma, including tightening sanctions on the regime. Berman said "Recent events have raised the profile of humanitarian issues there...Support is growing for more action in addition to ongoing efforts."
24 Feb 2010	USA	The United States' Chargé d'Affaires in Rangoon Larry Dinger, accompanied by the embassy's Political/ Economic Chief Jennifer Harhigh, met Central Executive Committee (CEC) members of the National League for Democracy (NLD), Vice President Tin Oo, Win Tin, Khin Maung Swe, Nyunt Wai and Than Htun, to discuss the opposition party's political stance and whether it will participate in this year's election.
22-25 Feb 2010	India	Burmese Navy Chief, Vice Admiral Nyan Tun paid a five-day visit to India. He met Indian Defence Minister A.K Antony, Indian Chief of Army Staff General Deepak Kapoor, Navy Chief, Admiral Nirmal Verma, and the Vice Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal P.K. Barbora.
14 Feb 2010	UN	UN human rights special rapporteur for Burma, Tomas Ojea Quintana, visited Burma
8 Feb 2010	Australia	Australia announced a 40 per cent increase in humanitarian aid to Burma to encourage a democratic election later this year.
8 Feb 2010	Czech	The Czech Republic became the third country to back the recommendation made by UN human rights Special Rapporteur on Burma, Tomas Ojea Quintana, that the UN Security Council examine setting up a Commission of Inquiry into war crimes and crimes against humanity in Burma
2 Feb 2010	USA	US President Barack Obama earmarked $36.5 million in his 2011 budget to support democracy and humanitarian programs for Burma and along the Thai-Burma border
17 Jan 2010	Japan	Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada met Burmese Foreign Minister Nyan Win on the sidelines of a gathering of foreign ministers from Asia and Latin America and offered more aid if a free election were held and Aung San Suu Kyi is freed.
15 Nov 2009	USA	US President Obama met PM Thein Sein during a US - Southeast Asian nations summit on the sidelines of APEC in Singapore
7 Nov 2009	Japan	Japanese Prime Minister Hatoyama meets PM Thein Sein on the sidelines of Mekong-Japan Summit, offering more aid if it releases political prisoners, namely Aung San Suu Kyi, and resumes dialogue with the opposition.
3-4 Nov 2009	USA	US Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell leads an exploratory mission to Burma
14-16 Oct 2009	EU	EU Fact Finding mission to Burma consisting of 20 delegates
9 Oct 2009	US, Australia, EU	Aung San Suu Kyi met deputy heads of the U.S. and Australian missions and the ambassador of Britain, which represented the European Union
2-3 Oct 2009	Japan	Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada met Foreign Minister Nyan Win in Cambodia on the sidelines of the Mekong-Japan foreign minister's meeting and called on Burma’s ruling regime to ensure that an election slated for next year is fair and transparent and includes all stakeholders.
early Oct	Japan	Japan embassy officials in Rangoon held a meeting with Win Tin, an executive member of the opposition National League for Democracy.
29 Sept 2009	USA	US assistant secretary of state Kurt Campbell and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Scott Marciel held their first meeting with Myanmar’s science minister U Thaung who led a delegation to New York
23 Sept 2009	USA	U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced that Washington would shift its policy towards Burma by direct engagement with it while keeping sanctions in place
19 Sept 2009	USA	U.S. Senator Jim Webb had talks with the country's Foreign Minister Nyan Win in Washington DC
14 Aug 2009	EU	The European Union added four state-run media outlets to its list of Burmese sanctions targets in response to the court ruling against pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
31 July 2009	UN	Mr Ban met at the United Nations Headquarters with U Than Swe, Burma's Permanent Representative to the UN, and pressed for the immediate release Aung San Suu Kyi.
28 July 2009	USA	U.S. President Barack Obama signed into law a congressional resolution extending restrictions on imports from Burma contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003.
13 July 2009	UN	UN chief Ban Ki-moon pressed Myanmar to free political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, to ensure "credible and legitimate" polls next year in his briefing to the UN Security Council on his visit to Myanmar earlier this July. Burma voiced its commitment to continue cooperation with the United Nations, but warns against any UN Security Council action on the country.
3-4 July 2009	UN	UN Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki-moon visited Burma and called for releasing Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners during his visit. Ban met with Than Shwe, the leadership of 10 legal political parties and ethnic ceasefire groups, but not ASSK "First, the release of all political prisoners, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi; the resumption of dialogue between the government and opposition as a necessary part of any reconciliation process; and third, the need to create conditions conducive to credible elections next year." (speech)(bangkok)
26-27 Jun 2009	UN	UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari made a two day visit to Burma, meeting Foreign Minister Nyan Win on two occasions to discuss a visit by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon
19 Jun 2009	EU	Europe agreed to step up sanctions and take further targeted measures against the Burmese regime
19 Jun 2009	Japan	The Japanese government provided 4 million U.S. dollars' aid for carrying out water supply and sanitary projects in Myanmar's cyclone-hit areas
11 Jun 2009	Germany	The German and French Heads-of-State, Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy, during a joint news conference in Paris declared they are trying to enlist the assistance of China and India to exert further pressure on Burma's military authorities concerning the trial of Aung San Suu Kyi.
10 Jun 2009	Japan	At least 70 Japanese Parliamentarians urged the government to push for a six-party type of talks – a-la-North Korea – concerning Burma, inclusive of regional countries and China. The Parliamentarians say Japan must kick-start the process in order to ensure genuine change at a meeting led by the Union of Japanese Diet Members for the support of Democracy in Burma (GIREN)
10 Jun 2009	India	118 Indian Members of Parliament (MP) called on Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to press Burma's military regime to release Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and restore democracy to the country
8-11 Jun 2009	Singapore	Former Singapore prime minister Goh Chok Tong made a four-day goodwill visit amid mounting international pressure on Aung San Suu Kyi's trial. He met Senior General Than Shwe, Prime Minister Thein Sein and other senior officials including Lieutenant-General Myint Swe, the Chief of Bureau of Special Operations 5 from the Ministry of Defence. He urged Burma's ruling generals to ensure that elections due next year are free and fair and that Singapore investors will likely wait until after Burma’s elections next year before pouring any more money into the country
2 Jun 2009	South Korea	South Korean President Lee Myung-bak urged Burma to take steps to promote democracy during a meeting with prime minister Gen Thein Sein on the sidelines of a two-day summit between South Korea and leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
2 Jun 2009	Thailand	Several organizations including the Foreign Affairs Committee of The Senate of Thailand and the Thai Action Committee for Democracy in Burma (TACDB) organized a conference “Roles of Thailand and ASEAN in Democracy Development in Burma; a case of Aung San Suu Kyi ” , in the Thai Parliament in Bangkok.
28 May 2009	Thailand	Thirty senators of Thailand submitted a petition to the Burmese military junta urging that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi be released and the creation of a favourable ambience for political stability in the country
25 May 2009	South Africa	South African Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ebrahim Ebrahim told Burma’s ambassador designate to Pretoria, Tin Oo Lwin that the South African government has called on the Burmese military regime to release opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, saying it wants to see Burma adopt civilian rule under a democratic multiparty system.
22 May 2009	South Africa	Burma’s pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been named recipient of Mahatma Gandhi International Award for Peace and Reconciliation in South Africa.
20 May 2009	China, EU	According to a joint press statement of the 11th China-EU Summit, Burma was among the many issues discussed.
18 May 2009	Japan	Nyan Win and his Japanese counterpart, Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone, talked over the phone, the first day of Aung San Suu Kyi's court hearing.
18 May 2009	UK	British Prime Minister Gordon Brown sent an open letter to Burma’s detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi reiterating his support for her by saying the British government is committed to work with international partners to support Burma's path to stability, peace and economic recovery.
15 May 2009	US	United States’ President Barrack Obama formally extended sanctions against Burma for another year, saying the actions and policies of Burma’s ruling junta has not changed and continues to be hostile towards the US and it’s foreign policy.
14 May 2009	US	US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says she will raise the imprisonment of Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi with the UN, Burma’s partners within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean)—and even China. Describing the removal of Suu Kyi from her home to Rangoon’s infamous Insein Prison as unlawful and “a pretext to place further unjustified restrictions on her,”
8 May 2009	South Korea	Two South Korean legislators visit Burma to convey President Lee Myung Bak’s message and to invite representatives from the military junta for the forthcoming meeting between South Korea and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
4 May 2009	EU, Japan	Leaders of the EU and Japan, in a joint statement expressed hope that the Burmese regime would tackle the country’s severe political, structural and economic problems and foster a peaceful transition to a legitimate, democratic and civilian government without delay.
27 Apr 2009	EU	The EU extended its common position on Burma for one more year, saying that the political and socio-economic challenges in Burma “can only be addressed through genuine dialogue with all stakeholders, including ethnic groups.”
24 Apr 2009	South Korea	South Korea has awarded its highest human rights award “Gwangju Prize for Human Rights” to Burma’s leading student activist Min Ko Naing, who is currently serving 65 years of imprisonment, for peacefully protesting in August 2007.
17 Apr 2009	China	Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao told Burmese Prime Minister General Thein Sein that it wishes to see Burma usher in political stability and national reconciliation.
16 Apr 2009	USA	Eleven influential US women senators have written a joint letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urging him to press the Burmese regime to abandon plans for a general election in 2010, saying they were based on a “unilaterally drafted constitution that violates international law.”
7 Apr 2009	USA	Seventeen members of the US Congress have written to Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, asking for the appointment of a special envoy for military-ruled Burma
Marh 30 - Apr 1 - 2009	East Timor	A National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) delegation led by Prime Minister Dr. Sein Win recently visited East Timor as part of its political trip. The NCGUB is giving finishing touches to its transitional plan.they met President Jose Ramos Horta on March 30 and Prime Minister Zarnana Gusmao on April 1.
30 Mar 2009	Thailand	Thailand has said it is ready to assist Burma in its process of political reconciliation, airing the position during the 15th anniversary of the Council of Asian Liberal Democracy (CALD) held in Bangkok
25 Mar 2009	USA	Stephen Blake, the director of the US State Department’s Office of Mainland Southeast Asia said that Sanctions may be withdrawn while other targeted sanctions may remain in place.
24 Mar 2009	Thailand	The Prime Minister of Thailand has said talks with ethnic rebels, the Karen National Union, depends on the Burmese military junta and the United Nations, reiterating that Thailand supports democratization and national reconciliation in the country
24 Mar 2009	UN	A UN working group on arbitrary detention, in its opinion No. 46/2008, for the first time stated that the continued detention of Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi violates domestic law.
23 Mar 2009	USA	Acting Assistant Secretary for International Organizations, James Warlick repeated earlier comments that the Obama administration is in the process of devising a new policy to achieve a goal of democratic reconciliation in Burma.
22-23 Mar 2009	Thailand	Thailand’s Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya visited Burma where he was asked by the military junta to meet representatives of ethnic rebels and to persuade the KNU to join the junta’s road map to democracy. The purpose of his trip was to also lay the groundwork for an official visit by Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.
22-25 Mar 2009	USA	US official State Department Stephen Blake, director of Mainland Southeast Asian Affairs, visited Burma where he met with Burmese Foreign Minister Nyan Win and other officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
17 Mar 2009	Singapore	Burmese Prime Minister General Thein Sein and host Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong agreed to strengthen bilateral trade and cooperation between the two countries. The Singaporean government’s named a new orchid at the National Orchid Garden named after General Thein Sein.
16 Mar 2009	Japan	Five Burmese military officials receive training on how to conduct an election in Japan as part of Japan's support to the junta’s seven-step roadmap to democracy.
16-17 Mar 2009	Indonesia	Prime Minister Thein Sein visited Indonesia, where he met President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
13 Mar 2009	USA	US President Barack Obama discussed the issue of restoration of democracy and protection of human rights in Burma when he made a telephone call to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
1 Mar 2009	ASEAN	The heads of state at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit in Cha-am, central Thailand, raised Burmese issues at meetings, calling for the release of political prisoners and an “all-inclusive process” as the country moves toward a general election next year, the Thai Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, said. They also decided to support the global body’s initiatives to bring political reform and improve the human rights situation in Burma, an admission of the 10-nation bloc’s weakness in dealing with its most difficult member
28 Feb 2009	USA	The United States continued to highlight Burma in informal conversations with delegates at the 14th Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), said the US Special Envoy to Asean, Scot Marciel
25 Feb 2009	East Timor	East Timorese President Jose Ramos-Horta has called on the United States to use the “international goodwill” generated by Barack Obama’s historic presidency to help end Burma’s political crisis.
12 Feb 2009	UN, Japan	The joint-statement issued by Gambari and Japanese Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone said they agreed to encourage the Burmese junta to hold general elections in 2010 in a form that could be accepted by the international community.
27 Jan 2009	USA	Former Burmese ambassador to the United States, U Ling Myaing visited the US.
21-22 Jan 2009	EU	Danish Development Minister Ulla Toraes visited Burma, with a Norwegian minister for Environment and Development Erik Solheim.
15 Jan 2009	USA	The United States froze assets of two Burmese businessmen and their companies for aiding the military rulers of the country. The US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control on Thursday announced freezing assets of Burmese business tycoons Win Aung and Zaw Zaw, and their business entities accounting for 14 companies.

Last Updated on Friday, 05 November 2010 19:05