Front Page |
World |
UK |
UK Politics |
Business |
Sci/Tech |
Health |
Education |
Entertainment |
Talking Point |
High Graphics |
AudioVideo |
Feedback |
Help |
Noticias |
Newyddion |
High Graphics | BBC SPORT>>
Front Page |
World |
UK |
UK Politics |
Business |
Sci/Tech |
Health |
Education |
Entertainment |
Talking Point |
AudioVideo |
World Contents:
Africa |
Americas |
Asia-Pacific |
Europe |
Middle East |
South Asia |
From Our Own Correspondent |
Letter From America |
Wednesday, 19 July, 2000, 14:22 GMT 15:22 UK
Burma remembers founding father
Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has attended a ceremony to mark the 1947 assassination of her father, the country's leading independence hero.
A solemn-looking Ms Suu Kyi was escorted by a military guard to the Martyrs' Mausoleum, at the foot of Rangoon's Shwedagon Pagoda.
Wearing a black shawl around her shoulders, she placed flowers at her father's tomb and then knelt to pay respects.
Her father General Aung San and most of his cabinet were gunned down just six months before Burma was declared a sovereign nation in 1948.
The assassination is remembered each year on Martyrs' Day.
It is the only event where Ms Suu Kyi is allowed to take part in official ceremonies.
General Aung San was the founder of Burma's army and is respected as a national hero by the ruling military regime for his leading role in the struggle for independence from Britain.
But Ms Suu Kyi, the leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD), is considered a traitor by the military.
House arrest
The NLD won a landslide victory in elections in 1990, but the military regime refused to hand over power.
Despite her release from house arrest in 1995, Ms Suu Kyi's movements and political activities are still heavily restricted.
Reports said Ms Suu Kyi arrived at the ceremony in a black sedan accompanied by Colonel Than Tun, her military liaison officer during her six years of house arrest.
Her brother Aung San Oo, who lives in the United States, also attended the ceremony.
Culture Minister Win Sein led the government representatives.
But reports said none of the top generals of the ruling State Peace and Development Council attended.
Ms Suu Kyi was also due to hold a private religious ceremony at the NLD headquarters on Wednesday.
Related to this story:
Bridge-building mission to Burma
(29 Jun 00 | Asia-Pacific)
Suu Kyi demands power handover
(27 May 00 | Asia-Pacific)
Burma anniversary galvanises opposition
(25 May 00 | Asia-Pacific)
Burma warns opponents
(27 Mar 00 | Asia-Pacific)
Burma clamps down on web
(20 Jan 00 | Asia-Pacific)
Special report: Burma
(08 Aug 98 | Burma)
Burma condemned over slave labour
(15 Jun 00 | Asia-Pacific)
Burma military 'seeks democracy'
(19 Jun 00 | Asia-Pacific)
Internet links:
Official Burmese Government site |
United Nations |
Free Burma Coalition |
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
Front Page |
World |
UK |
UK Politics |
Business |
Sci/Tech |
Health |
Education |
Entertainment |
Talking Point |
High Graphics |
AudioVideo |
Feedback |
Help |
Noticias |
Newyddion |
High Graphics | BBC SPORT>>
Front Page |
World |
UK |
UK Politics |
Business |
Sci/Tech |
Health |
Education |
Entertainment |
Talking Point |
AudioVideo |
World Contents:
Africa |
Americas |
Asia-Pacific |
Europe |
Middle East |
South Asia |
From Our Own Correspondent |
Letter From America |
Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage | ©