Suu Kyi calls for Japan's continued support for democracy in Myanmar

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YANGON, Nov. 30 Kyodo -
Myanmar's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi said Tuesday she wants
continued support from the Japanese government to bring democracy to the
military-ruled country.
Suu Kyi, in a telephone interview with Kyodo News, also said she will make
every effort to unite the pro-democracy forces in the country.
''We would like the Japanese government to work in coordination with all the
other governments who are trying to help along the process of democracy,'' she
said.
Suu Kyi, 65, who was released from house arrest Nov. 13 after more than seven
years of detention, said she has noticed the people of Myanmar, especially the
younger generation, have become ''a lot more politically invigorated.''
When asked whether there has been any response from the military junta to her
repeated calls for dialogue, she said, ''No, not yet,'' but added she will
continue to call for talks.
''One has to persevere. The junta has never been particularly enthusiastic
about dialogue, but we have had contacts in the past and I don't see why we
should not have more in the future,'' she said.
Commenting on Western sanctions imposed on Myanmar, Suu Kyi said she is
reviewing the issue.
''We are at the moment prepared to review the whole sanctions business, because
we want to find out what are the effects of the sanctions...politically,
economically, and we need to assess how that has affected the lives of our
people,'' she said.
Asked about her plans to cooperate with other democratic forces such as the
political parties that took part in the recent parliamentary elections, she
said would focus on unity among all the forces in order to bring democracy to
Myanmar.
''It is never easy to unite all political parties in any situation but we have
to try our best, because unity means strength and strength means speedier
transition to democracy,'' Suu Kyi said.
==Kyodo
2010-12-01 00:18:43