Suu Kyi makes first political trip

MYANMAR: Myanmar’s democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi yesterday embarked on her first political trip outside her home city since she was freed from house arrest, despite a government security warning. Suu Kyi, who was released from seven straight years of detention days after a controversial election last November, arrived in the Bago region, about 80 kilometres (50 miles) north of Yangon, in a convoy of about 30 cars.

More than 200 supporters were waiting for her at a local pagoda when as arrived with the entourage, which included members of her National League for Democracy (NLD) party, journalists and diplomats.

“I’m very happy to see her. We all are,” said Win Win Myint, a 23-year-old student in Bago. “I haven’t see her in person before.”

Plainclothes police were monitoring the area. Security is a concern as Suu Kyi’s convoy was attacked in 2003 during a previous political trip in an ambush apparently organised by a junta frightened by her popularity.

“Our party members will take care of her security and also the authorities will help us,” Nyan Win, an NLD spokesman, told AFP on Saturday.

He has described the one-day excursion, during which Suu Kyi will open two libraries and meet members of a youth forum, as “political”.

In June the military-backed government warned Suu Kyi that a political tour could spark chaos and riots.

She has since tested her freedom with a trip to an ancient temple city in central Myanmar, although politics was not on the agenda.

AFP