Burma's Swearing-in Oath Spurs Boycott

A few weeks after Aung San Suu Kyi was elected to Burma's parliament, her party is ready for its first clash with the regime. Opposition leader Suu Kyi and other members of the National League for Democracy are likely to boycott parliament next week over wording in a swearing-in oath. They want to take office saying they'll "respect" rather than "safeguard" the constitution, penned by the military bosses who once ran the country; officials have rejected their request, the Telegraph reports.

If the president doesn't quickly reconsider—which seems unlikely—they'll boycott parliament, which opens Monday. Meanwhile, the European Union has agreed "in principle" to a year's suspension of all sanctions against Burma other than a weapons embargo, following a visit to Burma from David Cameron. Lifting the sanctions would allow aid and foreign investment to enter the country; officials' assets would be unfrozen and leaders would be allowed to travel. EU foreign ministers will make a firm decision on the sanctions on Monday. (More Aung San Suu Kyi stories.)