Changes possible now in Burma

Thursday, 15 September 2011 –  National League for Democracy (NLD) General-Secretary Aung San Suu Kyi said in a speech on the International Day of Democracy that Burma is now in a condition where political changes can occur.

“Now I believe that [the country] is in a condition that changes are likely to take place,” said Suu Kyi, during a 10-minute speech to mark the International Day of Democracy at NLD headquarters in Rangoon.She said that everyone who wants democracy needs to work for peaceful changes in a smooth process that harms no one.

“The changes need to be smooth, peaceful and dignified. They should not harm the people, the country and the government that gave up power. The changes should not give unnecessary privileges to the coming government. Everything must be balanced,” she said. In her speech, Suu Kyi urged NLD members who are working to establish democracy to think about what they can do to personally contribute to democratic change.

In August, Suu Kyi met with President Thein Sein. State television announced that that they put aside their differences and "discussed friendly common interests and areas of potential cooperation for the benefit of the nation and the people."

On Wednesday, NLD security official Han Thar Myint who accompanied Suu Kyi when she met with the president in Naypyitaw told the BBC Burmese Service that their dialogue would continue.