Suu Kyi calls for ASEAN countries to push Burma's democracy

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta, Tue, 05/03/2011

Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of Burma's Democracy Movement, called for Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member nations to help Burmese people's struggle for democracy in their country.

"It is not out of selfishness that I'm asking that you help us in our struggle for democracy in Burma, that you help us in our attempts to strengthen civil society in our country. It is by starting here that we can start to help our region and the rest of the world," Suu Kyi said in a recorded speech played during the opening of the ASEAN Civil Society Conference/ASEAN People’s Forum 2011 in Jakarta.

Suu Kyi emphasized that the repeated assertion that democracy is a western concept incompatible with Asian values that is so often used to impede people's empowerment, hurts Burmese people who are struggling for their own democracy.

"They [Burmese] wanted a government of the people, for the people, by the people, not because they had ever heard President Lincoln's speech or ever read it, but because their instincts told them that this was the kind of government that would look after their interests," she said, referring to famed 16th US president, Abraham Lincoln.

Suu Kyi believes that the best way to improve the lives of Burmese people is through democratic institutions that have a particular Burmese flavor and aspect.

"I'm sure you all understand this, particularly in Indonesia, where you have made an admirable transition from authoritarian rule to democratic governance. We envy you; we want to be like you; we want to achieve what you have managed to achieve," the 1991 Noble Peace Laureate said.

She added that ASEAN would be a happier, stronger region and a region on which the rest of the world would look with admiration and satisfaction.

"Governments are important, but only so far as they work for the people. Let us look forward to the day when it is the people of ASEAN who decide what shape our region is going to take," she said. (swd)