Aung San Suu Kyi Walks On

06 May 2002
Aung San Suu Kyi Walks
Aung San Suu Kyi Walks
share
Burmese pro-democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, has been released from housearrest.

After days of speculation and months of secret negotiations with the rulingmilitary government, Aung San Suu Kyihas appeared in public for the first time in 18 months. Thousands ofsupporters mobbed her as she arrived at the headquarters of her party, theNational League for Democracy (NLD), and the Nobel Peace Prize winner saidher release was unconditional and she was free to go anywhere she wanted.

"I hope to be able to carry out all my duties for my party and my country inthe best possible way," she said.

But Aung San Sui Kyi made it clear she regarded the military government'sdecision to free her as only the beginning of a political process. "Myrelease should not be looked at as a major breakthrough for democracy. Forall people in Burma to enjoy basic freedom - that would be the majorbreakthrough".

Asked when she believed democracy would come to her homeland, she replied:"I hope not in too many more years."

U2's Grammy winning song Walk On is dedicated to Aung San Suu Kyi and herface appears in the video for the track.

Aung San Suu Kyi has long symbolised the struggle of Burma's people to befree. Her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD) won 82% of theseats in the 1990 election yet the military refused to transfer power toBurma's democratically elected leaders.

Under house arrest Aung San Suu Kyi's movements have been severelyrestricted, her phone frequently cut and she was prevented from seeing herfamily. Hundreds of her supporters have been detained, many sufferingtorture and in some cases death.

Her message is a simple one - that only by fighting fear can you truly befree.

One celebrating supporter, who did not want to be named for fear ofgovernment retribution, said: "I am very proud of her. She is our nationalheroine. Now Burma is very poor but when she rules our country I think itwill become better."

The generals who rule Burma have yet to spell out any plans to share powerwith the opposition and commentators belileve the challenge facing Aung SanSuu Kyi is to persuade the military to relinquish its grip after 40 years.

More in our Hearts and Minds area

More at
www.burmacampaign.org.uk
www.freeburmacoalition.org

RECENT NEWS

'Fireflies'
24 Jul 2026
'Fireflies'

Out today!  Martin Garrix teams up with U2 on new track 'Fireflies', debuted live with Edge at Tomorrowland Festival.

'In a place called Mexico…'
17 Jul 2026
'In a place called Mexico…'

Behind-the-scenes with band and crew on the shoot for 'Street of Dreams'.

Street Of Dreams - The New Single is Here.
07 Jul 2026
Street Of Dreams - The New Single is Here.

Listen to Street of Dreams, the first single from the band's upcoming studio album.

’BALLROOM BOOM’
07 Jul 2026
'BALLROOM BOOM'

'Ballroom Boom' screening at the Galway Film Fleadh this Thursday.

Related Topic

Highlights , Singles
0

COMMENTS