Daw Aung San Su Kyi's statement on July 1995

by Cho Lay on Sunday, December 5, 2010 at 9:38pm July 1995 The official intimation of the end of my house arrest was conveyed to me verbally by Colonel Kyaw Win in the form of the message from Senior General Than Shwe, which is kind and cordial. There were three points to the message above the end of my house arrest. 1. They will be happy to help me in matters of personal welfare. 2. If I wish, the authorities will continue to take care of security arrangements and 3. He would like me to help towards achieving peace and stability in the country. First of all, I would like to say that I appreciate deeply both the tone and the content of the message. I always believe that the future stability and happiness of our nation depend entirely on the readiness of all parties to work towards reconciliation. During the year that I spent under house arrest, many parts of the world have undergone almost unbelievable change. And all changes for the better were brought about through dialogue. So dialogue has been undoubtedly the key to a happy resolution of long festering problems. Once bitter enemies in South Africa are now working together for the betterment of their people. Why cant we look for similar process? We have to choose between dialogue or utter devastation. I would like to believe that the human instinct for survival alone, if nothing else, would eventually lead all of us to prefer dialogue. You may ask, what are we going to talk about once we sit at the negotiation table establishment of certain principles, recognition of critical objectives to be achieved and a joint approach to the ills besetting the country - will be the main items on the agenda. Extreme view points are not confined to any particular group and it is the responsibility of the leader to control such elements as threatens the spirit of reconciliation. There is more in common between the authorities and we of the democratic forces in Burma, than existed between the black and white people of South Africa. The majority of the people of Burma believe in the market economy and in democracy. As is amply prove of the result of the election of 1990. Those of you who reads the Burmese Newspaper will know that it is the aim of the State Law and Order Restoration Council, to return power to the people. This is exactly our aim as well. I would like to take the opportunity to ask the authorities to release those of us who still remain in prison. I am happy to be able to say that in spite of all that they have undergone the forces for democracy remains strong and dedicated.

I in my part bear no resentment towards anybody for anything that has happened to me during the last six years. This statement can only end in one way with an expression of sincere thanks to the people all over the world, especially to my countrymen, for all they have done to strengthen my resolve and to effect my release.