Myanmar's Suu Kyi turns 64 amid outrage over trial

By Aung Hla Tun

YANGON (Reuters) - Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi spent her 64th birthday in detention on Friday as supporters worldwide condemned her trial and called for tougher sanctions against the military regime.

The Nobel laureate marked the day by sharing a meal of chicken biryani with staff at Yangon's Insein prison, where she is on trial and faces up to five years in jail if found guilty of violating her house arrest.

"She will invite doctors who care for her, some guards and others to her party," Dr. Win Naing, a senior member of her National League for Democracy (NLD), told Reuters.

In Brussels, the European Union agreed on Friday to step up sanctions on Myanmar's military rulers.

"Europe agreed today to step up sanctions and take further targeted measures against the Burmese regime," British Prime Minister Gordon Brown told a news conference after a summit of the 27 EU member states.

Calling Suu Kyi "perhaps now the most renowned prisoner of conscience in the world," he demanded an end to her "absurd and contemptible sham trial" and her immediate and unconditional release.

Confined for more than 13 of the past 20 years, Suu Kyi's birthday has become an annual ritual inside and outside Myanmar for campaigners seeking an end to decades of military rule that has left the country an impoverished international pariah.

The day took on added significance this year amid international outrage at the trial, which is widely expected to deliver a guilty verdict.

Pro-democracy activists planned protests and events in 20 cities around the world. They also launched campaigns on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

Another online campaign, www.64forsuu.org, drew thousands of messages of support, including good wishes from Hollywood star Julia Roberts, U2 frontman Bono and footballer David Beckham.

"Aung San Suu Kyi is an inspiration to her country and the rest of the world," wrote former Beatle Paul McCartney. "I truly admire her infallible resolve and her determination to stand up for what she believes in."

SANCTIONS THREAT

Suu Kyi is accused of breaking the terms of her house arrest by allowing an American intruder, John Yettaw, to stay for two days after he swam to her Yangon home in early May.

Suu Kyi's two female housemates and Yettaw are also charged with breaking the country's draconian security laws.

Critics say the trial is aimed at excluding Suu Kyi from next year's elections, which they dismiss as a sham to entrench nearly half a century of military rule.