Burma's democratic opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi is the 38th most powerful woman in the world, according to Forbes magazine.

The annual listing, which incorporates factors such as media mentions, financial clout and job title, sees the Burmese Nobel Laureate come in as the 12th most powerful female politician.

In an accompanying article which asked various female personalities who their top three choices would be, Vogue editor Joan Juliet Buck ranked Aung San Suu Kyi first, "because she's a living martyr under house arrest."

As alluded to in the brief biography of Suu Kyi which accompanies her selection, the ranking is very much a reflection of the media attention afforded Burma over recent months, especially with regard to Cyclone Nargis.

However, her status is also a reflection of the magazine's preferred job title for the embattled National League for Democracy leader, that of "deposed prime minister."

United States Senator and former presidential candidate, Hillary Rodham Clinton, received the highest 'media' score, and finished just ahead of Suu Kyi at number 28 in the poll.

Current U.S. First Lady and staunch supporter of the detained Nobel Laureate, Laura Bush, is listed 44th by Forbes.

Release of the rankings came just ahead of the latest appeal from the United States State Department for Burma's military junta to honor the calls of the United Nations Security Council Presidential Statement of last October, which demands a time bound dialogue between the government, Suu Kyi and other opposition elements, as well as a general release of all political prisoners.

"The United States is deeply disappointed that once again the Burmese regime has failed to cooperate with UN Special Advisor Ibrahim Gambari's efforts to promote political dialogue and progress," reads yesterday's statement from State Department Deputy Spokesperson Robert Wood. Gambari had visited Burma for six days last week.

"Improved relations between Burma and the international community depend on the Burmese regime taking concrete and sincere steps in this direction," concludes the media release in reference to the needs of an inclusive dialogue process and the release of political prisoners.

For the 2006 and 2007 Forbes surveys, Suu Kyi placed 47th and 71st, respectively.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel again topped the list for the third year running.