‘Hope is the Desire to Try’
covering burma and southeast asia
Friday, March 29, 2024
Magazine

INTERVIEW

‘Hope is the Desire to Try’


By THE IRRAWADDY DECEMBER, 2010 - VOL.18, NO.12


Aung San Suu Kyi delivers a speech to thousands of supporters gathered at the National League for Democracy headquarters in Rangoon on Nov. 14, the day after her release from house arrest. (Photo: AFP)
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Now that it is over, however, those who backed the election have been embarrassed by the way it was carried out by the regime. It didn’t happen as they expected. What would you like to say to these people?

A: Perhaps this was a good lesson for them. [Laughs]

Q: The international community has welcomed your release. The US government has said it will continue its existing policy on Burma, combining sanctions and engagement. What kind of pressure do you think the international community should exercise on the Burmese regime, and what kind of relationship should it have with the junta? What would you like to say to China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean)?

A: I want Asean and China to have close relations with us. I want them to know that we are not people they can’t deal with. I think the fact that sanctions remain in effect is related to what you said earlier—the new political landscape. I think they are waiting to see if this really is a new landscape or not.

Q: The exiled Burmese community is becoming larger and larger. Hundreds of thousands of Burmese have left their country illegally, most of them from the younger generation. You have often spoken about the importance of education and helping the young to realize their potential. What are your plans for young people living inside and outside the country? What is your message to them?

A: The reason I want to have contact with young people living outside Burma is to promote the importance of education. They—especially those living in Western countries—have many more educational opportunities than young people living in Burma. That’s why I want them to have contact with each other. I don’t want young people living overseas to forget those remaining inside. I don’t think they will forget. Many of them have been involved in blogging and other Internet-related activities, so I don’t think they have forgotten the situation inside their country. I think they will believe in their strength and continue to stand for their people.

Q: When you were freed in the past, Burma’s ethnic communities were largely silent. This time, however, they have given you their strong support. You are also in favor of a second Panglong Conference. How do you feel about the response to your release by the ethnic nationalities?

A: I am very happy, not because of their support for me, but because of the way they are becoming more united. This will lead to greater unity in the future.



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