Burmese Language
First footage emerges of Suu Kyi
Political leaders and supporters the world over have reacted with excitement, albeit cautiously, to the release of Aung San Suu Kyi.
The Burmese opposition icon’s seven years under house arrest came to an end this evening and she was seen briefly at the gates of her compound to address the thousands of supporters that had gathered.
“There is a time to be quiet and a time to talk,” she said. “People must work in unison. Only then can we achieve our goal.” A DVB cameraman managed to film the event undercover.
AUNG SAN SUU KYI RELEASED from DVBTV English on Vimeo.
Former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown described her as the “world’s most renowned and courageous prisoner of conscience” and said that “her release proves that no injustice can last forever”. US President Barrack Obama said her release was “long overdue”.
The Thai government, which has attracted criticism for its continued warm relations with the Burmese junta, said that the news was “exciting”. The regime’s key ally, China, is yet to make a statement.
But while the scenes that accompanied news of her release were jubilant, a note of caution was sounded by Zoya Phan from Burma Campaign UK.
“I am thrilled to see our democracy leader free at last, but the release is not part of any political process. Instead it is designed to get positive publicity for the dictatorship after the blatant rigging of elections on 7 November,” she said.
“We must not forget the thousands of other political prisoners still suffering in Burma’s jails.”
That sentiment was echoed by Dr Maug Zarni, a research fellow at the London School of Economics. “We should not fool ourselves to think that her release signals the desire on the part of the Myanmarse [Burmese] regime towards democratization, dialogue and reconciliation.”
Indeed it was Suu Kyi who said after her last release in 2002 that it “should not be looked at as a major breakthrough for democracy. For all people in Burma to enjoy basic freedom, that would be a major breakthrough”.
The BBC said that the 65-year-old has spoken on the phone to her youngest son, Kim Aris, who this week was reportedly granted a visa to go to Burma.
The two have had no communication for a decade. The conditions of Suu Kyi’s house arrest meant that she was banned from meeting or speaking with anyone except her two live-in caretakers, and her doctor and lawyer.
She is due to give a longer speech at midday on Sunday, and will spend tonight inside her house.
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A hero’s welcome for Ms Suu Kyi and for her determination to better the lives of the people of Burma and for the release of others still held.
I do not how to describe how happy and delighted by this amazing great news!!!!!
LONG LIVE “Aung San Su Kyi”
Please lead burma out of this long lasting darkness.
WE <3 YOU
people must listen carefully. Aunty Suu said. “People must work in unison. Only then can we achieve our goal.” What did we do? I casted my vote in the election. My brother had to vote because his office patron asked all of them to vote for Kyant_Phut.My friend boycott the election. His wife said she is too busy to listen or get involved in politics. Four people were divided by Gen Than Shwe into four different groups. We were all divided so that Than Shwe took all our vote and declare vitory. Carry on with this division and we all are happy to be slave of the military fascists. No unison, Aunty Suu can not work for us. Than Shwe want to isolate Aunty Suu from the public. ARE YOU SERVING THAN SHWE BY HAVING NO UNITY? Aren`t you?
The beleaguered USDP bogus victory in the recent election is now shamefully fended off by releasing Daw Suu. I don’t think the SPDC could perpetuate their rule by holding this sham election but fall themselves in their own trap. As much as the USDP swept sham public votes into their ballots recently, Suu Kyi is still winning the genuine hearts of all citizens in Burma.
The good ( Suu Ky ), the bad ( USDP) and the ugly ( Election ) game will begin soon!
I´m happy that Aung San Su Kyi finally is free and I pray for the future of Burma.
Daw Su Kyi’s release is well and truly over due, it was illegally imposed by an illegal regime to start with. We must always be careful of this traitor Thitsaphout Than Shwe, you can never take anything he does on face value, and we can never forget that there are more than 2000 political prisoners still being illegally held by Thitsaphout Than Shwe’s illegal regime. The many injustices imposed on the Burmese people must never be forgotten at this place in history. Than Shwe must now stand trial for every crime his illegal regime have ever committed, Murder Rape and Torture are crimes that can never go unanswered, there must be justice for all living or dead.
I am a student from Australia. In our class, we watched Burma VJ. The whole class cried. The courage and suffering of Aung San Suu Kyi and the Burmese people hasn’t gone unnoticed. Aung San Suu Kyi is not only a hope to the people of Burma, but she is a hope for the humanity. The world is watching.
Congratulations to the people of Burma on the release of there leader Aung San Suu Kyi. I really hope this is the beginning of change.
Next,the goverment has to release all political prisoners.
The first Emporor of China Quin Shiaeng and the king of the Mongols Genghis Khan both re-nited all ethnic groups to acheive their goal…as Aung San Suu Kyi her self says…\the people of Burma will not be handed their democracy on a plate, it is something they will have to fight for.\ Im Rod Power
Great Job DVB!!! We admire your reports on TV. Cheers!! Keep it up!!
It’s a great day for the Burmese people as well to the people of whole world. Her release brings hopes to all the people around the world. ‘Great inspirational leader not only for Burmese but to all the people around the world who believes in freedom & democracy.
Congradulation to people of Burma, hope this is going to change the harsh situation inside burma,
Thanks to DVB for all their effort during these years for providing people around the wordl with pictures, and thanks to its brave reporters.
Mehdi
from Iran!
Right now she is the most famous person in the world and it is just because of the way she carries herself. So poised, so humble, so articulate and so amazingly beautiful.
But was really sick of the BBC and CNN questioning her relevance to present day politics of Burma, just the reception she received on her release should have told them that she is the one person who can unify Burma at present.
I hope the military rulers of Burma learn that the tide is turning against them and they should support aung san suu kyi so that the country can have a peaceful transfer of power from the military to a democratically elected government.