Suu Kyi's party says she's ill

YANGON, Myanmar - Detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi urgently needs medical attention in the prison where she is being held, her party said yesterday, while closing arguments in her trial were delayed until the end of next week.

A party statement said it was "gravely concerned" about the Nobel Peace Prize laureate's health, saying she cannot sleep well because she suffers from leg cramps.

Suu Kyi, 63, was treated for dehydration and low blood pressure in early May, a few days after an American intruder was arrested for sneaking into her home.

The military government has accused her of violating the terms of her house arrest for harboring the American. If found guilty, she faces up to five years in prison.

In her courtroom appearance Tuesday, Suu Kyi looked pale and weak.

Myanmar's Foreign Ministry said in a statement Sunday that Suu Kyi, who is being held in a prison "guest house," is being "provided with adequate health care and she is in good health." The government earlier said a team of doctors was taking care of her.

Closing arguments were rescheduled from Monday to Friday, said Nyan Win, one of Suu Kyi's lawyers. The reason was not immediately known.

The trial has drawn outrage from the international community and Suu Kyi's local supporters, who worry that the military junta has found an excuse to keep her detained through next year's elections. Her party overwhelmingly won the last elections in 1990 but was not allowed to take power by the military, which has run the country since 1962.

Suu Kyi has pleaded not guilty. Her defense team acknowledges that John W. Yettaw, 53, swam to her lakeside home, where he stayed for two days. But the lawyers argue it was the duty of government guards outside her closely watched house to prevent intruders.

Yettaw, who was taken to Suu Kyi's home Thursday by officials to reenact his visit, told the court Wednesday he was sent by God to warn Suu Kyi of his premonition that she would be assassinated by terrorists, Nyan Win said.

Yettaw also secretly went to Suu Kyi's home late last year but did not meet her. He testified that security personnel observed him during both visits but did not try to stop him, Nyan Win said.