Thursday, 15 September 2011 17:05 Myo Thant
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Burma’s opposition leader and National League for Democracy (NLD) General-Secretary Aung San Suu Kyi said in a speech on the International Day of Democracy that Burma is now in a condition where political changes can occur.
“Now I believe that [the country] is in a condition that changes are likely to take place,” said Suu Kyi, during a 10-minute speech to mark the International Day of Democracy at NLD headquarters in Rangoon.
She said that everyone who wants democracy needs to work for peaceful changes in a smooth process that harms no one.
“The changes need to be smooth, peaceful and dignified. They should not harm the people, the country and the government that gave up power. The changes should not give unnecessary privileges to the coming government. Everything must be balanced,” she said. In her speech, Suu Kyi urged NLD members who are working to establish democracy to think about what they can do to personally contribute to democratic change.
In August, Suu Kyi met with President Thein Sein. State television announced that that they put aside their differences and "discussed friendly common interests and areas of potential cooperation for the benefit of the nation and the people."
On Wednesday, NLD security official Han Thar Myint who accompanied Suu Kyi when she met with the president in Naypyitaw told the BBC Burmese Service that their dialogue would continue.
Suu Kyi joined Myanmar Football Federation chairman Zaw Zaw on Wednesday to watch a football match at Thuwunna Stadium in Rangoon. Zaw Zaw is on a list of sanctioned individuals by the U.S. government for his association with the former military junta.
Ceremonies to mark the International Day of Democracy are being held in Burma this year for the first time. In addition to the NLD ceremony, the new government also held a ceremony in Naypyitaw to mark the day.
In 2007, the U.N. assembly declared September 15 as the annual International Day of Democracy in order to raise awareness about democracy among its members. Burma became a member of the U.N. in 1948.
The Burmese Parliament on Wednesday observed the International Day of Democracy in Naypyitaw.
U.N. Resident & Humanitarian Coordinator Bhairaja Panday said in a statement: “The Government of Myanmar has recently taken steps as part of its stated commitment to democratization, and we welcome the increased space for dialogue on issues such as development priorities, good governance, human rights, budgets and allocation of resources, as well as on reforms in key socio-economic sectors.
“The UN in Myanmar stands ready to jointly support the people and government of Myanmar, both at the central and regional levels, in building a democratic nation for the benefit of all,” said Panday.
In its Strategic Framework for 2012-2015, the U.N. in Burma listed the promotion of good governance and the strengthening of democratic institutions and human rights as one of its four strategic priorities.
The U.N. statement said democracy is a universal value based on the freely expressed will of people to determine their own political, economic, social and cultural systems and their full participation in all aspects of their lives. While democracies share common features, there is no single model of democracy.
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Burma’s opposition leader and National League for Democracy (NLD) General-Secretary Aung San Suu Kyi said in a speech on the International Day of Democracy that Burma is now in a condition where political changes can occur.
“Now I believe that [the country] is in a condition that changes are likely to take place,” said Suu Kyi, during a 10-minute speech to mark the International Day of Democracy at NLD headquarters in Rangoon.
 |
| Aung San Suu Kyi speaks at the office of the National League for Democracy in Rangoon at a ceremony to mark International Democracy Day on Thursday, September 15, 2011. Suu Kyi said Burma is in a process of political change. The Burmese government will hold a ceremony in Parliament to mark the occasion. Photo: Mizzima |
She said that everyone who wants democracy needs to work for peaceful changes in a smooth process that harms no one.
“The changes need to be smooth, peaceful and dignified. They should not harm the people, the country and the government that gave up power. The changes should not give unnecessary privileges to the coming government. Everything must be balanced,” she said. In her speech, Suu Kyi urged NLD members who are working to establish democracy to think about what they can do to personally contribute to democratic change.
In August, Suu Kyi met with President Thein Sein. State television announced that that they put aside their differences and "discussed friendly common interests and areas of potential cooperation for the benefit of the nation and the people."
On Wednesday, NLD security official Han Thar Myint who accompanied Suu Kyi when she met with the president in Naypyitaw told the BBC Burmese Service that their dialogue would continue.
Suu Kyi joined Myanmar Football Federation chairman Zaw Zaw on Wednesday to watch a football match at Thuwunna Stadium in Rangoon. Zaw Zaw is on a list of sanctioned individuals by the U.S. government for his association with the former military junta.
Ceremonies to mark the International Day of Democracy are being held in Burma this year for the first time. In addition to the NLD ceremony, the new government also held a ceremony in Naypyitaw to mark the day.
In 2007, the U.N. assembly declared September 15 as the annual International Day of Democracy in order to raise awareness about democracy among its members. Burma became a member of the U.N. in 1948.
The Burmese Parliament on Wednesday observed the International Day of Democracy in Naypyitaw.
U.N. Resident & Humanitarian Coordinator Bhairaja Panday said in a statement: “The Government of Myanmar has recently taken steps as part of its stated commitment to democratization, and we welcome the increased space for dialogue on issues such as development priorities, good governance, human rights, budgets and allocation of resources, as well as on reforms in key socio-economic sectors.
“The UN in Myanmar stands ready to jointly support the people and government of Myanmar, both at the central and regional levels, in building a democratic nation for the benefit of all,” said Panday.
In its Strategic Framework for 2012-2015, the U.N. in Burma listed the promotion of good governance and the strengthening of democratic institutions and human rights as one of its four strategic priorities.
The U.N. statement said democracy is a universal value based on the freely expressed will of people to determine their own political, economic, social and cultural systems and their full participation in all aspects of their lives. While democracies share common features, there is no single model of democracy.
Subscribe to email feed
