Sunday, August 14, 2011

Live Report: Suu Kyi visits Pegu

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Sunday, 14 August 2011 11:02 Mizzima News

Suu Kyi's first political trip outside Rangoon (part 1)


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Suu Kyi's first political trip outside Rangoon (part 2)


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Suu Kyi's first political trip outside Rangoon (part 3)


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Suu Kyi's first political trip outside Rangoon (part 4)


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Suu Kyi's first political trip outside Rangoon (part 5)



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Suu Kyi returns to Rangoon

3:00 p.m. BST

After Aung San Suu Kyi consoled the flood victims in Pegu, she left Pegu at Burmese local time 3:00 p.m. to go back Rangoon.

“The flood victims warmly welcomed her," said NLD spokesperson Ohn Kyaing. "The monastery was very crowded with about 2,000 people who are the flood victims or the people from that quarter."

He said Suu Kyi was now returning to Rangoon and had left Pegu. It was later confirmed that she arrived safely in Rangoon at about 5 p.m. local time.

Suu Kyi is greeted by local people on her way back from Shwemawdaw pagoda, Pegu, Sunday, August 14, 2011. Photo: Mizzima


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Suu Kyi meets flood victims in Pegu

2:30 p.m. BST

Aung San Suu Kyi visited flood victims taking refuge at the Shwenanttha West Monastery in Pegu at around 2:30 p.m. and offered words of consolation.

“Now, she has arrived at the Shwenanttha West Monastery in which the flood victims are taking refuge. She will console the flood victims and donate rice and instant noodles to the victims,” said NLD party spokesperson Ohn Kyaing.

A total of more than 3,000 people are taking refuge in seven camps in Pegu. Over half of them, 1,965 victims, are staying at the monastery.

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Burmese authorities allowing Suu Kyi's trip, says exile NGO head

2:30 p.m. BST

As opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi carries out a one-day "political tour," Mizzima asked the leader of an exile democracy NGO his views on her venture to reach out to the people of Pegu.

“Firstly, it is good that as a public leader she keeps in touch with the grassroots of the party and the people," said Federation of Democracy in Burma (FDB) General Secretary Dr. Naing Aung. "She is making the trip after her second meeting [with Minister Aung Kyi], so it seems that she has negotiated [with the authorities to allow her visit]."

He said the result of this first political trip will depend on the range and number of people she meets, including young National League for Democracy (NLD) members.

"If she can meet with a wide range of people, we can say that the result of the meeting was good. But, if she has visited Pegu just to officiate at the opening ceremonies of the libraries, we can suppose that they are doing this in accordance with negotiations to avoid mutual conflicts," Dr. Naing Aung told Mizzima.

“During [her] negotiation process [with the authorities], Aung San Suu Kyi may not be able to explain the detail of the discussion and her strategy. Anyway, like this occasion when she can meet people, she needs to tell the people what activities she will pursue to make the changes these people want ...," he said.

Dr. Naing Aung said Suu Kyi should stress she can't do everything on her own and she should offer people instructions on how they can help.

"She told the young people to organize social networks," he said, noting that she needs to lead discussions to explain what type of role these networks should take, whether to be purely NGOs carrying out social work, or whether they can offer education on politics.

He said she needs to make clear how the NLD can help.

"If she can initiate practical discussions with young people, they will gain strength, have a clearer vision, and their tasks will be more effective," he said.

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2:10 p.m. BST

Amay-Suu-Bago-TripAung San Suu Kyi cuts the ribbon at the opening ceremony of the Aung San
Jarmon Library, dedicated to her, on her visit to Pegu on Sunday, 14 August, 2011. Photo:
Aung Myo Htun

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Suu Kyi discusses the World Cup and the meaning of popular support

1:30 p.m. BST
During a speech Aung San Suu Kyi gave to people in Pegu she expressed her surprise at the depth of support she has received from the people of Pegu but how such support was vital it there was to be positive change in Burma.

“In the past, when I came to Pegu, it was the last day of the World Cup," she said. "Even that day, residents in Pegu came out to give me a welcome. At that time, Ba Ba [Uncle] Win Tin asked the people why they did not watch the World Cup. The people answered that they could watch the World Cup competition every four years, but I came here [Pegu] for only a single time during 11 the last years.”

Speaking in the house of Myat Hla, the local chairman of the NLD, she said that because of this enthusiatic support, she feels she has a responsibility. "People supported us with hope. It should be. The people will support us as long as they have hope. Otherwise, why should they support us? They will be tired. They’ve supported someone [us] with hope, and we understand that we need to be responsible.”

She said politics was an activity aimed as making the country stable,developed and enjoying peace. "Politics is politics. We must prioritize politics. In fact, each citizen needs to be dedicated to politics and sacrifice their life for politics.”

But this did not mean people should drop their careers to become politicians. "People say our country needs civil servants, teachers, doctors and so on. There are many requirements. So, that doesn’t mean every person needs to be involved in full-time politics."

She urged those present to be active in pursuing the system they want. “Participating in politics should be aimed at fulfilling people’s hope," she said. "Therefore, participating in politics includes work and duty. People also have a duty. To get a system they want, people need to be responsible. If you don’t shoulder responsibility, you cannot say that you didn't get the system you want. So, I would like to urge you to try to make things happen the way you want.
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Suu Kyi tells people to be mentally strong
11:30 a.m. BST

Aung San Suu Kyi said in her 15-minute speech in Pegu that she would disclose the details about the Friday meeting between her and Minister Aung Kyi soon, according to Bago Division branch National League for Democracy (NLD) chairman Myat Hla.

“She told people to be united," he said, stressing "the people need to be mentally strong to move forward."

The other issue she raised was people's curiosity about her meeting with Aung Kyi, explaining a little about what was discussed and saying she would disclose more details at the appropriate time, according to Myat Hla.

Suu Kyi donated 500,000 kyat to the flood victims in the Pegu Region, according to the sources.

“She has handed over money to me as a donation to the flood victims. She said she would like to meet with members of the lawyer networks in Pegu after having lunch. Now, she is having lunch,” Myat Hla said.

Aung San Suu Kyi on her visit to Pegu. Photo: Mizzima


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Suu Kyi opens first Aung San Jarmon library
10:30 a.m. BST

Suu Kyi has presided over the opening of the first Aung San Jarmon library in Thanatpin township at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday and arrived back in the downtown Bago area, according to our correspondent.

The Nobel Laureate cut a ribbon and gave speeches, focused on the importance of public education and urging youths to read books.

On the way from Thanatpin to Bago, a half an hour trip, she met small groups of residents who came out to greet her, a Mizzima correspondent reported.

She will launch the second Aung San Jarmon library located at the home of Bago Division level NLD branch chairman Myat Hla.

Meanwhile, telephone communications with Bago are difficult and Mizzima reporters have been having difficulty reaching residents in the area.

Suu Kyi at the opening of the Aung San Jarmon library in Thanatpin, Pegu. Photo: Mizzima


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3,000 people greet Suu Kyi: NLD official
9:30 a.m. BST


Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi arrived in Pegu (Bago), 80 kilometers north of the business capital Rangoon on Sunday morning as her first "political tour" since she was released from house arrest last year.

Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy (NLD) vice-chairman and veteran soldier Tin Oo arrived in Thanatpin Township in Bago Division to attend the opening of two new libraries dedicated to her, called Aung San Jarmon. NLD youth members are taking care of her security.

3,000 residents greeted Suu Kyi, according to party spokesperson Ohn Kyaing who is with Suu Kyi on her tour.

"People are greeting her," he said. "They hold small banners 'We love mother Suu' and some are holding larger than life size photos of General Aung San (Suu Kyi's father) and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi."

Suu Kyi is preparing to give a speech to the crowd while this report is being written.

The convoy of about 20 vehicles left Rangoon 5:45 a.m and arrived at the famous Shwemawdaw Pagoda at 7:40 a.m. She prayed in the pagoda and offered robes to Buddhist monks in Thardukan monastery.

Pegu has been hit by the worst flooding in 30 years. But now the water level is going down and the weather is good, Myat Hla told Mizzima.


People greeting Aung San Suu Kyi as her convoy arrives in Pegu. Photo: Mizzima


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Suu Kyi's first political trip outside Rangoon since November 2010

11:14 p.m. BST


Suu Kyi arrives at the Shwemawdaw pagoda, Pegu, Sunday, August 14, 2011. Photo: Mizzima In front of Shwemawdaw pagoda, Pegu, Sunday, August 14, 2011. Photo: Mizzima Aung San Suu Kyi and Tin Oo paying homage to at the Shwemawdaw Pagoda in Pegu at 7:50 a.m., Sunday, August 14, 2011. Photo: Mizzima Suu Kyi on her way back from Shwemawdaw pagoda, Pegu, Sunday, August 14, 2011. Photo: Mizzima Suu Kyi is greeted by local people on her way back from Shwemawdaw pagoda, Pegu, Sunday, August 14, 2011. Photo: Mizzima Suu Kyi and her party Vice-Chairman Tin Oo on their way back from Shwemawdaw pagoda, Pegu, Sunday, August 14, 2011. Photo: Mizzima Aung San Suu Kyi pays homage to the Abbot of Sasana Mandine Pali University Monastery in Pegu at 8:10 a.m., Sunday, August 14, 2011. Photo: Mizzima Suu Kyi offering donations to Tharthana Mandai Pali university monastery, Sunday, August 14, 2011. Photo: Mizzima Suu Kyi on her way back from the monastery, Pegu, Sunday, August 14, 2011. Photo: Mizzima Local crowd greet to Suu Kyi near the monastery, Pegu, Sunday, August 14, 2011. Photo: Mizzima Suu Kyi at the Aung San Jarmon Library in Thanatpin at around 9:00 a.m., Sunday, August 14, 2011. Photo: Mizzima Aung San Suu Kyi speaks to a crowd at the opening of the Aung San Jarmon library in Thanatpin, Sunday, August 14, 2011. Photo: Mizzima Aung San Suu Kyi speaks to a crowd at the opening of a library in Thanatpin, Sunday, August 14, 2011. Photo: Mizzima Aung San Suu Kyi encourages youth to read more at the opening of a library in Thanatpin, Pegu (Bago), Sunday, August 14, 2011. Photo: Mizzima  A Burmese girl listens to a speech by Aung San Suu Kyi in Thanatpin, Pegu (Bago), Sunday, August 14, 2011. Photo: Mizzima Aung San Suu Kyi's convoy departs from Thanatpin, Pegu (Bago), Sunday, August 14, 2011. Photo: Mizzima Suu Kyi returns from Thanatpin to Pegu town. Photo: Mizzima Aung San Suu Kyi's convoy enters Pegu town as police clear the road of traffic. Photo: Mizzima A crowd wait outside the Aung San Jarmon library in National League for Democracy member Myat Hla's house, Pegu. Photo: Mizzima Suu Kyi at the opening of the Aung San Jarmon library in Thanatpin. Pegu. Photo: Mizzima People greeting Aung San Suu Kyi in Pegu. Photo: Mizzima Aung San Suu Kyi speaks to the crowds from the window of the Aung San Jarmon library in National League for Democracy member Myat Hla's house, Pegu. Photo: Mizzima Suu Kyi speaks to the crowd at the Aung San Jarmon library, Pegu. Photo: Mizzima Suu Kyi speaks to the crowds from the window of the Aung San Jarmon library, Pegu. Photo: Mizzima A supporter carries a large poster of Aung San Suu Kyi as the crowd welcomes her in Pegu. Photo: Mizzima The crowd leaving after Suu Kyi gave a speech in Pegu. Photo: Mizzima Suu Kyi arrives as a flood relief camp at Shwenanttha West Monastery, Pegu. Photo Mizzima Suu Kyi arrives as a flood relief camp at Shwenanttha West Monastery, Pegu. Photo Mizzima Suu Kyi arrives as a flood relief camp at Shwenanttha West Monastery, Pegu. Photo Mizzima Flood victims and other local people wait Shwenanttha West Monastery. Photo: Mizzima Suu Kyi speaks to flood victims and local people in West Shwe Na Thar monastery, Pegu. Photo: Mizzima
Mizzima would like to thank the Friends of Mizzima (Australia) for their financial support for this Live Report.

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