Aung San Suu Kyi in first political trip beyond Rangoon

[Khun Don]

Aung San Suu Kyi in first political trip beyond Rangoon


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Crowds of supporters gathered at a pagoda in Bago

Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has made her first political trip outside Rangoon since her release from house arrest last November.

She called for national unity as she visited Bago, about 80km (50 miles) north of Burma's main city.

Hundreds of people lined the streets as her convoy made its way to Bago.

The Burmese authorities had earlier warned that such a trip could trigger unrest and security agents were monitoring the convoy.

However, the BBC's South-east Asia correspondent, Rachel Harvey, says recent moves have suggested a thaw in relations could be under way.

Security concerns

Ms Suu Kyi travelled in a three-car convoy that was followed by a host of vehicles carrying reporters and supporters.

Hundreds of people lined the roads in towns and villages on the way to Bago, waving banners and shouting slogans. Our correspondent says many simply wanted to catch a glimpse of a woman held for years under house arrest.

At a pagoda in Bago, crowds shouted "Long Live Daw Aung San Suu Kyi!"

Ms Suu Kyi, 66, delivered a speech to about 600 people as she opened a library in Tha Nat Pin, close to Bago.

"We can develop this country only when we all work together," she said.

"Unity is a strength, unity is needed everywhere and it is needed especially in our country."

She vowed to continue her work "as much as I can".

Security was a major concern for the trip.

On a similar excursion in 2003, her convoy was attacked by a group widely believed to be linked to the old military government.

The incident left several people dead and resulted in a seven-year period of house arrest for Aung San Suu Kyi.

But, our correspondent Rachel Harvey says, times have changed somewhat - a new nominally civilian government is now in place and in recent weeks it has shown a willingness to try to reach an accommodation with Ms Suu Kyi. This visit will be a test of that accommodation, our correspondent says.

There have been two rounds of talks between the pro democracy leader and a government minister, with both sides expressing a desire to cooperate for the good of the country.

Ms Suu Kyi has made one trip outside Rangoon since her release from house arrest. She visited the ancient city of Bagan last month on a private pilgrimage that contained no speeches.

Ms Suu Kyi's NLD party won an election in 1990 but was never allowed to take power by military rulers.

An election last year was won by parties linked to the military but was boycotted by the NLD amid complaints of vote-rigging and intimidation.

Ms Suu Kyi was released from seven years of house arrest after the November poll.

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[kfchugo]

This supposed "thaw in relations" is just another ploy by the ruling junta in their efforts to give the appearance that they are moving toward true democracy. I see no credibility in their rhetoric and personally believe that Ms Suu Kyi can do little or nothing to improve things in Burma in her present circumstances. I would very much like to see some individual or group spirit her out of the country and give her asylum in a western nation. There she could speak freely, support democracy in her country and martial support for political opposition. She could also continue dialogue with the regime in the unlikely event that their overtures might be genuine.

[Khun Don]

Daw/Amay Suu would not leave willingly. She was given permission to leave the country when her husband Dr Michael Aris was dying-but refused it as she knew it was almost certain she would not be allowed in again.
While she remains in Burma she is a thorn in the side of the Junta and a magnet for opposition. Outside of Burma she is an irrelevance to be censored out of foreign news.

[kfchugo]

I think that while she is within Burma, she is indeed a "thorn in the side" of the junta. To my mind however, this leaves her with little power or mobility and her comments can certainly be censored within the country. Also, while there, she is exposed to personal risk.....she could be killed and the event passed off as any number of causes.....accidental, natural causes, killed by a zealot not connected to the government etc., etc.
Outside of Burma, she would be a "voice heard around the world". Still, it would be her decision and she needs to do whatever would most benefit her oppressed people.