Tue, May 07, 2002 - Page 1 News List

Freed Suu Kyi vows to struggle on

`THE LADY' LIBERATED Myanmar's opposition leader was set free after 19 months of house arrest yesterday, a move she hoped would lead to real political change

REUTERS , YANGON

She said while the NLD had not changed its support for economic sanctions on Myanmar or its insistence that the results of the 1990 elections should be recognized, its position was flexible and open for discussion.

International sanctions are her most powerful bargaining chip in talks with the ruling generals -- many Western countries would resume investment and aid if Suu Kyi said she supported such a move.

The government says it is committed to building democracy, but that moving too fast could lead to anarchy and the disintegration of the multi-ethnic country.

"We shall recommit ourselves to allowing all of our citizens to participate freely in the life of our political process while giving priority to national unity, peace and the stability of the country as well as the region," the junta said in a statement.

Suu Kyi said she wanted to see more political prisoners released as soon as possible.

"I and my party have been disappointed by the slow rate of the release of political prisoners," she said.

Human-rights groups say more than 1,000 political prisoners are in jail.

Foreign countries said they welcomed Suu Kyi's release but that they wanted also to see more substantive political change.

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