Burma’s democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, freed from seven years of house arrest, told thousands of wildly cheering supporters on Sunday that she would continue to fight for human rights and the rule of law in the military-controlled nation.
She called for face-to-face talks with the junta’s leader. She spoke to about 5,000 people who crowded around the dilapidated headquarters of her political party, the first stop for the Nobel peace laureate after leaving the residence that had been her prison.
“I believe in human rights and I believe in the rule of law. I will always fight for these things,” she said. “I want to work with all democratic forces and I need the support of the people.”
Ms Suu Kyi told reporters her message to junta leader Gen. Than Shwe was, “Let’s speak to each other directly.”
The two last met in secret talks in 2002. —AP