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Aung San Suu Kyi’s first trip outside Rangoon since her release, threats from the junta
She has arrived in the ancient city of Bagan, where she was met by her son, journalists and plain clothes police. She will remain there four days. The government has warned the Nobel Peace Prize Winner not to carry out political propaganda, "for security reasons." Her last trip to Bagan was in 1989.
Yangon (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Aung San Suu Kyi arrived in the ancient city of Bagan, yesterday, for her first trip outside Rangoon since her release last November. The Nobel Peace Prize winner and leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD) arrived on a scheduled flight with Air Mandalay, and was met by her son Kim Aris, who travelled from the United Kingdom, who will join her for four days in the city. However, the government has warned the opposition leader to fear for her safety if she seeks political support. The last time that Aung San Suu Kyi was in Bagan (also known as Pagan), dates back to 1989, for a political rally that drew thousands of people.
Upon arrival in Bagan, the "Lady" was welcomed by some journalists and soldiers in civilian clothes. Although she is now free to travel throughout Myanmar, last week, the Burmese military junta warned the Nobel Laureate and her party to stop all forms of political activity. For this reason, her entourage has specified that it is a holiday and has asked her supporters to stay away "for security reasons" and says it will keep the government informed of her whereabouts.
The fear is a repeat of what happened in 2003, during her last political trip outside Rangoon. Aung San Suu Kyi was travelling in the north on a political tour, when a gang of thugs - linked to the junta - ambushed her convoy. The "Lady" was later arrested and put under house arrest for seven years, until her release last November, after the sham elections.
Kyaw Win, a Burmese diplomat in Washington, told Radio Free Asia: "The senior military are consolidating their grip on power and are trying to root out any dissenting voice that wants democracy." For this reason, the threats against Aung San Suu Kyi "should be taken seriously."