With her extraordinary struggle to bring democracy in Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi’s life is documented in the film entitled “The Lady.”
On the “The Lady” film screening, US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton undercored how important the movie in the history of Aung San Suu Kyi and Burma happen to be.
She says the personal side of Suu Kyi’s story in the film is one that is so moving when one look at what she gave up, the difficult decisions and sacrifices that she made for her country on behalf of freedom with the hope of democracy.
The film also reveals how human, down-to-earth, personally engaged she happens to be in everything she’s doing, which makes her story even more painful, Ms. Clinton added.
“Watching her interact with the people around her, the people who took care of her, the people who were there with her through all her years of house arrest and struggle, makes you know that this is someone who was very well aware of the pain and the sacrifice that she was undertaking.” -Ms. Clinton
She stresses that just a few days ago, the United States has joined the world in celebrating her election.
As Burma grapple with transitioning from authoritarian military rule to a more open political and economic system, there are going to be a lot of difficult days ahead, she noted.
Ms. Clinton commends President Thein Sein and his government for having taken courageous steps. The Burmese government has made the progress possible in many ways. It helped to launch their country on this historic new path.
However, Ms. Clinton noted that there is still a lot to be done.
The United States will continue to press for all political prisoners to be released, for those already released to be given unconditional freedom, Ms. Clinton stresed.
“We will continue to work to end in a just way the ongoing ethnic conflicts.” -Ms. Clinton
She stresses that the US government has told the government there that it will match action for action as they take steps.
Last week, Ms. Clinton has outlined a number of the action steps the United States is prepared to take, including sending an accredited ambassador, reestablishing a USAID mission, enabling private organizations to engage in a broader range of non-profit activity supporting the people, beginning a targeted process of easing the ban on exporting U.S. financial services and restrictions on investment and travel.
“It is something that we enter into with our eyes very wide open but with our hearts very hopeful. And certainly, we are guided by the partnership that we have with democrats, including most famously, Aung San Suu Kyi.” -Ms. Clinton
The film entitled “The Lady” is an opportunity to celebrate this extraordinary woman’s struggle to bring democracy to her people, Ms. Clinton underlined.
She adds that in the movie also some images of the many heroes in the pro-democracy movement who have sacrificed their freedom and even their very lives are also featured.
There are hundreds and thousands of people working alongside Aung San Suu Kyi inside Burma and around the world, Ms. Clinton said.
She notes that this film also honors the other heroes as well.
“And after decades of war and turmoil, we do look with hope- the realistic but nevertheless hopeful aspirations for what can happen.” -Ms. Clinton
On December 2011, U.S. Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton offered advice to Aung San Suu Kyi as the former activist shifted her interests to politics.
Earlier this week, as Burma pursues the road for reform, development and democracy, the United States of America has expressed commitment to support Burma’s democratic reforms.
From the beginning of Obama Administration, the US government has pursued a policy of engagement to support human rights and reform in Burma.
Obama Administration continues to show commitment to promote democracy and human rights in Burma and on key recent developments in Burma including the release of Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest, the 2010 elections, and the formation of a government headed by former top regime general and now President Thein Sein.
The United States is currently pursuing parallel and complementary tracks in a full-scale effort to advance progress on core concerns of the United States and the international community, including the unconditional release of all political prisoners, respect for human rights, and an inclusive dialogue with the political opposition and ethnic groups that would lead to national reconciliation.
The Lady is a French-English co-production directed by Luc Besson. Michelle Yeoh portrayed as Aung San Suu Kyi and David Thewlis as her husband.
