TWO OF the world’s most famous women, Aung San Suu Kyi and US secretary of state Hillary Clinton, embraced each other warmly yesterday and the Burmese democracy icon spoke of how she saw the start of a “new future” in her country.
“This will be the beginning of a new future for all of us, provided we can maintain it,” Ms Suu Kyi told journalists gathered at the verandah of her lakeside house. This was where she spent 15 years under on- off house arrest until she was freed in November last year.
Ms Suu Kyi and Ms Clinton met twice, once over dinner and again yesterday for a lengthy consultation. There was clearly a strong bond between the two women.
There is an equally powerful sense that the visit by Ms Clinton is a game-changer. She is the highest ranking American official in 50 years to visit Burma, which has been run by generals since 1962 until the military junta staged limited elections in November last year.
During her visit, Ms Clinton told Burma’s leaders that the US was open to lifting sanctions if they granted more political freedoms and promoted internal peace and, if the junta could prove its good intentions, then diplomatic relations could also be upgraded.
Ms Suu Kyi praised the US for this “careful and calibrated” approach. “Because of this engagement, our way ahead will be clearer and we will be able to trust that the process of democratisation will move forward,” she said. “If we go forward together I’m confident that there will be no turning back from the road towards democracy,” Ms Suu Kyi added.
“We are not on that road yet but we hope to get there as soon as possible with the help and understanding of our friends.”
Crucial to the success of the government’s reform process is the removal of sanctions, which began in 1988. Since the elections, reforms have gathered pace, with more freedom of the press and freedom for political prisoners.
Ms Suu Kyi has called on international agencies to help the massively underfunded health and education sectors in Burma.