Suu Kyi and Son Travel Despite Threats by Burma’s Junta

04 July 2011: Burma’s pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her younger son Kim Aris arrived in Bagan today amid warnings by the ruling military authorities.

The Nobel Peace laureate is on a four-day trip outside the former capital, Rangoon, for the first time since her last release from house arrest in November last year.

Aung San Suu Kyi said her private travel to the ancient city of Burma is nothing to do with politics.

Late last month, the Ministry of Home Affairs urged her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), to stop their ‘unlawful’ activities and to stay out of politics in the country.

Aung San Suu Kyi was attacked and at least 70 people, mostly supporters of NLD, were killed by government-sponsored mob during her trip, now known as the Depayin Massacre, in May 2003.

The NLD leader is said to make a national tour later this month. To this, Burma’s authorities said of the possibility of the outbreak of chaos and riots in the country.

Last month, the holywood actress Michelle Yeoh, who was blacklisted for playing Aung San Suu Kyi in the upcoming film The Lady, was deported from Rangon International Airport by Burma’s authorities.

Van Biak Thang
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