Burma Democracy Leader Visits UN
Nobel Laureate and longtime Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi visited the United Nations as part of her seventeen day tour of the USA. Standing next to Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, she quipped "I don't recognize the place, but I am very, very glad to be back. " In her early years Suu Kyi worked at the UN.
The longtime opposition figure, who spent fifteen years under house arrest for opposing Burma's ruling military regime, won a parliamentary seat in free by-elections earlier this year, as leader of the National League for Democracy. She advocates non-violent change in her country which would include the lifting of Western economic sanctions.
While Western sanctions pressured the rulers of Myanmar, aka Burma, the effect has run its course.
Suu Kyi was in Washington earlier to receive the Congressional Gold Medal awarded in absentia during the Bush Administration in 2008.
Few may recall that George W. Bush and West European governments especially Britain, France and Germany worked closely together to isolate Myanmar's left-wing military rulers.
First Lady Laura Bush was a particular advocate of Burmese democracy.
Next week Myanmar's reformist President Thein Sein will address the UN General Assembly. Observers will be watching carefully to assess just how much the current regime is really willing to reform.
Speaking alongside UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Suu Kyi told correspondents "As I have been saying ad nauseum--it is now time that the Burmese people took responsibility for their democratization of the country."
Looking tired but hopeful she added, "I think peace begins in the hearts of people. So if we want peace, we've got to remove hatred."
Soft words from a woman who has suffered so very much but who retains a strong but silken political patina.
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