Aung San Suu Kyi's birthday Burma's military government says it is still trying to build democracy in the country, but rules out any democratic model influenced by the West. On Monday the NLD's leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, marked her birthday by urging Burmese women to step up the struggle for democracy. I want our women to be more active and strong. If we all do what we can to get democracy, we will be able to quickly attain our goal.
Women can work a lot more for understanding, unity and loving kindness amongst the ethnic people.
Last month the pro-democracy leader, who is also a Nobel laureate, marked the 10th anniversary of the nullified elections by demanding that the military hand over power. In his speech Lieutenant-General Khin Nyunt did not go into detail about the kind of democracy he wanted. The general, whose speech was carried by official newspapers, said Burmese democracy should conform with the history of the nation and the people, its customs and character. The ILO, a UN agency with 174 member states, urged governments and international institutions to ensure they did not help Burma perpetuate the practice. The NLD has rejected any proposal for a fresh ballot, saying the government must respect the results of the last multi-party elections.