Rev. Danny Fisher

“Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, rignt shakes hands with a diplomat in this image taken from TV in Yangon Myanmar Wednesday May 20, 2009. Myanmar’s military regime opened Aung San Suu Kyi’s trial Wednesday to reporters and diplomats, but the unexpected access did not stem criticism that the hearing is a political ploy to keep the pro-democracy leader behind bars through next year’s election.” Photo by MRTV, via APTN.
Reuters is reporting that Burma’s ruling junta opened their trial of Nobel Peace laureate and Prime Minister-elect Daw Aung San Suu Kyi today “in an apparent bid to calm growing international outrage at the regime and its latest crackdown.” The article continues:

Suu Kyi appeared healthy and confident during the 45-minute hearing watched by some 30 diplomats and a handful of Burmese journalists on the third day of her trial inside Yangon’s notorious Insein Central Prison.

The 63-year-old, known affectionately as “The Lady” by her supporters, faces up to five years in jail if found guilty of breaking the terms of her latest house arrest.

“Thank you very much for coming and for your support,” Suu Kyi, dressed in a pink blouse and maroon-coloured tied skirt, known as a longhi, told the diplomats after the hearing.

“I hope to meet you in better days,” she said, smiling, before female police officers escorted her out of the court.

She was to meet privately with diplomats from Russia, Thailand and Singapore at her prison guest house later. It was not clear if the trial would be open on Thursday.

The BBC also has video of a strong and confident Suu Kyi speaking with diplomats and journalists. Take a look.