Post date: Nov 14, 2010 5:2:8 PM
A day after her release in Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi calls for democracy -- but says she cannot achieve it alone.
MYANMAR-SUU KYI NEWSE - Pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi calls for freedom of speech in army-ruled Myanmar.
She urges her thousands of supporters to stand up for their rights.
Released yesterday from house arrest, Suu Kyi said she cannot be truly free while her people are oppressed.
AUNG SAN SUU KYI, SAYING:
"If my people are not free, how can you say I am free? We are not free. Either we are all free together or we are all not free together."
She also indicated she will resume an influential political role -- but was adamant that she alone cannot achieve democracy.
AUNG SAN SUU KYI, SAYING:
"You think it's easy to get democracy just by one person acting alone? It is quite valuable. For valuable things, we need a lot of sacrifices. It cannot be achieved by one person. If so, it's not democratic. If people say 'We want democracy, Aung San Suu Kyi, do it for us', you will not get democracy, but dictator Aung San Suu Kyi."
Outside, a crowd of supporters gathered to catch a glimpse of the 65-year-old Nobel peace laureate.
SUPPORTER OF AUNG SAN SUU KYI:
"I'm so happy. The hair on my skin is standing."
Diplomats now expect Suu Kyi to work with the West to lift sanctions seen by many as contributing to Myanmar's chronic economic problems.
But many are worried that this may allow the ruling junta to monopolise the country's resource-rich economy.
With a polulation of 50 million, about a third currently live below the poverty line.
Travis Brecher, Reuters