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[From the web] Akbayan Party congratulates Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy

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Akbayan Party congratulates Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy

April 4, 2012

Akbayan Party congratulates Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League of Democracy (NLD) for their historic victory in the recently concluded by-elections in Burma. Despite persistent efforts by the military junta to derail the elections, the NLD has won at least 44 of the 45 contested seats in parliament. This election, although touted by many as token and merely symbolic, is a clear manifestation of the outright rejection of the military junta and a vote for genuine democracy by the peoples of Burma.

However, the peoples of Burma must not rest on their laurels. The military junta still controls most institutions of government and can easily withdraw some reforms it has introduced. The peoples of Burma must now persevere even harder now that they have representation in the parliament no matter how small it may be. This landslide victory of the NLD and the election of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi into parliament have undoubtedly been foreseen by the junta. The current political realities such as the international pressure on the junta and Burma’s continued isolation must be taken into account along with this latest development. Clearly, the military junta only wishes to project itself to the world as open to reforms by conceding a number of seats to the opposition while maintaining a huge majority of parliament. In effect, the junta is attempting to silence the opposition within the halls of parliament. We are certain that the peoples of Burma will not allow the military junta to deprive them of this victory. We are confident that with their continued struggle, both inside and outside of parliament, military rule will cease sooner than later and democracy will be restored.

While we celebrate this momentous occasion, we will also continue to cautiously await any future developments. Rest assured that Akbayan Party together with the Filipino people will continue to support the aspirations of the peoples of Burma for a free and democratic government.

Source: akbayan.org.ph

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Suu Kyi makes election debut in Myanmar

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Suu Kyi makes election debut in Myanmar.

GMA News, AFP
April 1, 2012

Kawhmu, Myanmar — Voting began Sunday in Myanmar elections seen as a test of the government’s budding reforms, with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi standing for a seat in parliament for the first time.

A victory for Suu Kyi would cap a remarkable transformation for the 66-year-old icon of the pro-democracy movement, who spent most of the past 22 years locked up by the generals who ruled the country for decades.

Her National League for Democracy (NLD) party swept to a landslide election victory in 1990 but the junta never recognised the result.

Suu Kyi, who won the Nobel Peace Prize the following year, was not a candidate herself on that occasion because she was under house arrest.

Her party is contesting 44 of the 45 seats at stake in Sunday’s vote — not enough to threaten the ruling party’s majority, but a seat in parliament would give the opposition leader a chance to shape legislation for the first time.

Polling stations opened at 6:00 am (2330 GMT Saturday) and were due to close at 4:00 pm, with more than six million people eligible to vote. The results are expected within about one week, according to election officials.

Observers say the regime wants the pro-democracy leader to win a place in parliament to burnish its reform credentials and smooth the way for an easing of Western sanctions.

Read full article @ www.gmanetwork.com

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[In the news] ACSC/APF screens Suu Kyi`s video message – www.antaranews.com

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http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/70983/acscapf-screens-suu-kyis-video-message

ACSC/APF screens Suu Kyi`s video message. Photo by Egay Cabalitan Jr.

Jakarta (ANTARA News) – The 6th ASEAN Civil Society Conference/ASEAN People`s Forum 2011 screened a video message of Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi after the opening by Vice President Boediono here Tuesday.

In the five-minute message, Suu Kyi talked about ASEAN and democracy.

She said Myanmar was part of ASEAN and the Myanmar people wanted to work more closely with the peoples of other ASEAN member countries.

“ASEAN is very important for our future, and we hope that we will also be very important for ASEAN,” she said.

She reaffirmed her commitment to promote democracy in her country for the sake of achieving a better life for the people.

Suu Kyi said she was impressed by the political transition in Indonesia which had managed to change the previous authoritarian regime into a democratic government.

“We also want the best for our region, and the best for the world,” she said.

Read full article @ http://www.antaranews.com (link above)

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