2012-03-14 12:47:26

Aung San Suu Kyi addresses Myanmar on state TV


In Myanmar, also known as Burma, opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's first-ever campaign speech for state television was scheduled to air on Wednesday, and again on March 22. Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party is contesting 47 of the 48 parliamentary seats at stake.

In her speech, which was leaked on the internet ahead of its broadcast, Suu Kyi repeated her campaign theme of undoing the repressive measures of past military regimes to make the country more democratic. The broadcast marks the first time the Nobel Peace laureate has been given the opportunity to use state media to promote her party's platform.

“Obviously what we’re seeing in Burma at the moment are some quite dramatic changes,” said Burma Campaign UK’s Anna Roberts. “We’re seeing more opening of political space so that Aung San Suu Kyi and her party, the National League for Democracy, are able to do some campaigning… And these are welcome steps and signs for hope that there is change coming to Burma.”

“But,” she said, “I think also we need a note of caution about what has actually happened so far and about what is being promised as change.”

Ms. Roberts said, “I think the international community absolutely has to encourage these reforms, but part of that encouragement is also maintaining the pressure and sanctions that are acting as a lever for reforms in the country at the moment.”

Listen to the complete interview of Anna Roberts, Executive Director at Burma Campaign UK, with Christopher Wells: RealAudioMP3








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