World Digest: Burmese Court Postpones Verdict in Suu Kyi Trial

BURMA

Court Postpones Verdict in Suu Kyi Trial

A Burmese court on Friday delayed until Aug. 11 its verdict in the trial of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

Despite intense international pressure to release the democracy advocate, the junta that controls Burma appears intent on muzzling her as it prepares for 2010 elections to solidify its rule. The trial, concerning charges that Suu Kyi violated the terms of her house arrest, had been delayed repeatedly over the past three months.

In Washington, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo called for Suu Kyi's immediate release. Burma should demonstrate whether it has a legitimate hold on power, Arroyo said in an interview Friday, adding that the best way to do this "would be to accelerate the road map and have elections being conducted in an atmosphere and an environment in which Aung San Suu Kyi and her party are able to participate fully."

Arroyo, who met with President Obama at the White House on Thursday, said that the two leaders discussed the situation in Burma extensively and that the United States and the Philippines "are on the same page."

The Obama administration has conducted a review of its Burma policy, suggesting that a tough approach has not yielded much progress, but the review has been on hold pending the outcome of Suu Kyi's trial.

-- Glenn Kessler

HONDURAS

Interim Leader Rejects Return of Zelaya

Honduras's coup-installed leader, Roberto Micheletti, dampened hopes Friday for a negotiated solution to the country's crisis, capping days of mixed signals by saying firmly that there is no way the ousted president, Manuel Zelaya, can return to power.

Zelaya's return has been a key demand of Costa Rican President Oscar Arias, who is the crisis mediator.

On Thursday, a confidant of Micheletti's had said the interim leader was open to compromise.

-- Associated Press