The news came as Burmese marked the 12th anniversary of the detention of the opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Suu Kyi has been imprisoned or kept under house arrest for 12 of the last 18 years. Protests were held in 12 cities around the world to mark the date, including London, Paris, Washington, Toronto, New York, Brasilia and Cape Town. Adam Cooper of the Peace for Burma Coalition was one of dozens to turn out in Bangkok, Thailand.

Adam Cooper: “Today marks the 12 years Aung San Suu Kyi has been in detention. So we’re calling for her release and for that of all political prisoners. We’re doing it outside of the Chinese embassy because we believe the Chinese government has the influence to bring about that change in Burma. They give it diplomatic support in the U.N. They’ve got an enormous amount of investment, economic and military aid. They are the organization that can bring about change there.”

Earlier today, a Burmese officer said Suu Kyi had been allowed to leave her home for a brief meeting with an official appointed by the junta to deal with the opposition.