News of Norway, May 9, 2002
The Myanmar’s military junta’s rules would have made it impossible for her to return back to her country after receiving the Nobel prize. She chose to remain as the symbol of Burmese democratic struggle rather then settle for more comfortable existence in exile.
The 56-year-old leader was recently set free after enduring 20 months of house arrest since September 2000 after trying to travel north to Mandlay. She was then under restriction to stay in the capital, Rangoon. On May 8, Bondevik said that he got the impression that Suu Kyi now had full freedom of movement.
Courageously defying Burma's brutal military regime for over 12 years, Suu Kyi won the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in 1990 and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991. Hollywood Director John Boorman directed a movie about Suu Kyi in 1995, Beyond Rangoon, starring Patricia Arquette and Frances McDormand.
Suu Kyi's political party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), won a landslide victory in a 1990s general election, gaining 82% of the seats in parliament. The military regime subsequently annulled the election results, placing hundreds of members of parliament and Suu Kyi in house arrest from 1989 to 1995.
NLD has pledged to work with the military to resolve divisive issues such as the drafting of a new constitution and a resolution of the 1990 election. A key NLD demand of the past decade has been that the military honor the election result.
Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik said after speaking to Suu Kyi by telephone, that she is looking forward to rebuilding her party organization and fighting for democracy and freedom in Myanmar, also known as Burma.
The Prime Minister will now try to reestablish the steady contact he had with the Burmese opposition leader in 1996 and 1997, since he heads the international network of politicians working for democracy in Myanmar. Bondevik visited Suu Kyi in 1997 on a tourist visa. On May 8, Suu Kyi thanked Norway for its engagement in her cause and the country's current policy towards Myanmar.
"She asked us to keep up the pressure in terms of sanctions in order to help speed the democratic process along, as well as encourage the regime when it took important steps towards democracy and freedom," Bondevik said.
Bondevik emphasized the government's attitude remains the same, and that Myanmar has not changed enough to escape sanctions and qualify as an equal trade partner.
”A shining example of personal courage“
“It is with great joy that we have received the news that Aung San Suu Kyi has been released from her protracted house arrest. She has conducted her uncompromising struggle for democracy, human rights and peace with personal courage and perseverance. Her effort is a shining example of what an individual person can be able to achieve”.
This was Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik’s official comment following the report that the Burmese opposition leader has now been released from house arrest.
“Her release today is first and foremost a result of her own untiring efforts”, Mr. Bondevik says. He stresses that Suu Kyi is not alone. “She has had broad support in in her own country as well as in the international society. Numerous organisations and networks have taken her side. The best illustration of this international support is that she has received the Nobel Peace Prize”, the Prime Minister says.
The Norwegian Premier says Burma’s military regime by releasing Suu Kyi has demonstrated their willingness to increased dialogue with the country’s political opposition. “We hope this release is the first step in a broader process of that will lead to democracy in Burma”, he says. Mr. Bondevik says the UN special envoy, Razali Ismail, has offered vital contributions towards the establishment of a confidence that is now producing its first positive results.
“I had the pleasure of meeting Aung San Suu Kyi in her home in Burma in the spring of 1997”, the Prime Minister says. “Her engagement for peace and liberty has made a lasting impression on all who have met her. As soon as it will be possible, we are looking forward to receiving Aung San Suu Kyi in Norway”, Mr. Bondevik says.
“There is still a long road to a democratic Burma. From the Norwegian side we will continue our engagement that Aung San Suu Kyi’s brave efforts can bring peace and freedom for Burma”, Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik says