Suu Kyi free after 7 yrs

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YANGON: Myanmar’s pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi walked free on Saturday after seven years as a prisoner in her own home, calling on a sea of jubilant supporters to unite in the face of repression.
Waving and smiling, the Nobel Peace Prize winner appeared outside the crumbling lakeside mansion where she had been locked up by the military rulers, to huge cheers and clapping from the waiting crowds. “We must work together in unison,” she told thousands of waiting people, suggesting she has no intention of giving up her long fight for democracy in what is one of the world’s oldest dictatorships.
“I’m glad that you are welcoming me and supporting me. I want to say that there will be a time to come out. Do not stay quiet when that time comes.” Many people hugged each other with joy at the sight of the 65-year-old dissident, known in Myanmar simply as “The Lady”. Wearing a lilac top and purple longyi – Myanmar’s sarong-like traditional dress – she appeared in good health after her latest stretch of detention.
She asked the crowd to come to her party’s headquarters at noon on Sunday to hear her speak after she struggled to make herself heard. “I have many things to say as we haven’t seen each other for a long time,” she said. World leaders were quick to welcome her release, with US President Barack Obama hailing her as “a hero of mine”.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon described Suu Kyi as “an inspiration” to the world, but said the junta must free all political prisoners. Although she has been sidelined and silenced by the regime – occasionally released briefly only to be put back in confinement – for many in the impoverished nation she still embodies hope of a better future.
“I think of her as my mother and also my sister and grandmother because she’s the daughter of our independence leader General Aung San,” said 45-year-old Naing Naing Win. “She has her father’s blood.” Despite the risks of opposing the military regime in a country with more than 2,200 political prisoners, many supporters wore T-shirts bearing her image and the words, “We stand with Aung San Suu Kyi.”
Undercover police were photographing and filming the crowds. Some fear that junta chief Than Shwe will continue to put restrictions on the freedom of his number one enemy. But a senior government official said there were no strings attached.
“She is completely free – there are no conditions at all,” the official told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity. A government-controlled television station said she was released on account of good conduct during her house arrest.