http://noor.rules.it http://begumnoor.tux.nu _____________________________________________________________________________ «¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»¥«¤» ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ \\\\\___PRINCESS NOOR APPRECIATION SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL 1998___\"-._ /////~~~ BEGUM NOOR CONNECTION ~~~/.-' _____________________________________________________________________________ AUNG SAN SUU KYI *Please Scroll Down For: Details of Aung San Suu Kyi's Arrest in May Incident *Please Scroll Down for: New Statesman's 'Heroes of our time - the Top 50' *Please Visit: http://www.ethicaltraveler.org/candles for frequent News Items _____________________________________________________________________________ Suu Kyi Awarded Olof Palme Prize _____________________________________________________________________________ March 1st, 2006 STOCKHOLM - Myanmar's imprisoned pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was yesterday awarded the Olof Palme Prize in absentia at a ceremony in Stockholm marking the 20th anniversary of the murder of the Swedish Prime Minister after whom the award is named. . Ms Suu Kyi, who has either been in jail or under house arrest for more than 10 of the past 16 years, was honoured "for her outstanding persistent work to let democratic order be established in Burma", Mr Palme's widow, Lisbet, said as she handed over the prize to the head of Myanmar's government-in-exile, Mr Sein Win. . "She is an outstanding example of the efforts by her people to achieve democracy ... To peoples around the world, she is an example of peaceful opposition to oppression," a visibly moved Mrs Lisbet Palme added. - AFP AFP FROM: http://www.todayonline.com/articles/103951.asp _____________________________________________________________________________ UPDATE MAY 19, 2006 _____________________________________________________________________________ *Aung San Suu Kyi wins New Statesman's 'Heroes of our time - the top 50' May 18, 2006 (DVB) - Detained Burma's democracy icon and Nobel laureate, Aung San Suu Kyi won poll position of London-based news magazine the New Statesman's 'Heroes of our time - the top 50', with three times as many nominations from the readers as the great South African leader Nelson Mandela in second place. The two great leaders are followed by Bob Geldof - Pop star turned poverty campaigner, John Pilger - Writer and broadcaster who also reported the dire situation in Burma and Margaret Thatcher - British Conservative prime minister (1979-90) in third, fourth and fifth places, respectively. The extraordinary thing about the poll, according to the magazine, is the response from the readers as it was 'surprising in its range and unpredictability as it was overwhelming'. For instance, Margaret Thatcher, scourge of trade unions and, more generally, of the liberal left, was described by a reader as someone who 'brought a major shift in 20th-century politics' within a decade. In an online article accompanying the poll, 60-year-old Aung San Suu Kyi is described as 'lovely and delicate, like the strings of scented jasmine always looped around her hair,' but her tenacity, courage and other abstract qualities are not forgotten either. 'The men in army fatigues and dark glasses who have oppressed her for so long may try to stamp out this flagrantly feminine opponent, but still she rises, unbowed and resolute.' At the same time, it portrays her as a normal human being who has to overcome many tragedies, difficulties and weaknesses, and someone who is not afraid of speaking her mind for truth, to the irritation of some. "Death has, paradoxically, been the making of Suu Kyi; it has stalked and claimed her loved ones and supporters. But each tragedy seems only to tighten her grip on life and her cause. The heady idealism of post-colonial liberation sustains her still,' said author of the article Yasmin Alibhai-Brown. 'They (Burmese generals) may put Suu Kyi away, but cannot make her go away from the international stage. Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991, she leads without armies, media manipulation or economic might,' said Alibhai-Brown. 'Yet she remains in her tower, inviolate. In this increasingly grubby world of expedient and violent politics, the miracle is not that Suu Kyi survives but that she continues to matter so much. Not since Nelson Mandela's long incarceration has a political prisoner drawn so much and such consistent support from millions the world over.' FROM: http://english.dvb.no/news.php?id=7066 _____________________________________________________________________________ UPDATE - DECEMBER 14, 2005 _____________________________________________________________________________ Release Aung Sun Suu Kyi: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh On Board Air India One, Dec 14 : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday told his Myanmarese counterpart Lt. Gen. Soe Win that pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi "should be set free", pointing out that the international community hoped for movement towards democracy in the military-ruled nation. Meeting at Kuala Lumpur before the first East Asia Summit that both were attending, Manmohan Singh thanked Myanmar for its help in fighting anti-India insurgents operating from the jungles along their border, a process Soe said would continue with unrelenting vigour. The two also discussed the national reconciliation process in Myanmar, with the military leader explaining at length the "compulsions" behind decisions taken by Yangon against Suu Kyi and other restrictions placed against dissident leaders and democracy proponents. While telling the general that he had no desire to interfere in Myanmar's internal affairs, Manmohan Singh made it plain that the international community desired a clear movement towards democracy as well as release of Nobel Prize winner Suu Kyi who has been under house arrest for years. "We were in favour of national reconciliation and that Aung Sun Suu Kyi shall be set free... and also the international community wants to see a movement towards democracy, for fundamental human rights and allowing more political activities to flourish," the prime minister told reporters accompanying him on the special flight home, adding that the answer to all this had naturally to be found by the Myanmarese people themselves in a way suited to the genius of the country. FROM: http://www.newkerala.com/news.php?action=fullnews&id=67168 _____________________________________________________________________________ JOIN THE INTERNATIONAL APPEAL FOR DAW AUNG SAN SUU KYI'S RELEASE _____________________________________________________________________________ Date : 2005-10-21 Free Aung san Suu Kyi - join the international appeal for her release Kindly send 'Release Aung San Suu Kyi' postcards to your Members of Congress/Parliament, governmental leaders, and influential officials so as to win the immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners in Burma. New York, 21 October, (Asiantribune.com): A global appeal to free Aung San Suu Kyi, the democratic icon of Burma, the lady who was first held under detention and later on house arrest since May 2003, would be completing a total of 3560 days since 1998 under house arrest on 24 October 2005. The international campaign to free the Burma's opposition leader, who is considered, though slim and frail in physical appearance, a strong willed 'Iron Lady of Asia' have been launched by, The National Council of the Union of Burma and The National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma. The appeal pointed out that Burmese Generals who have ruled the country through brute force since 1988, fear the unflinching support of the Burmese people for Aung San Suu Kyi, and continue to keep under house arrest by isolating her from her supporters. The appeal further unmasked the earlier devious game plan by the Burmese Generals. The statement reminded that in May 2003, Burmese Generals orchestrated a murderous assault on the supporters and members of Aung San Suu Kyi's party - The National League for Democracy - killing and maiming scores of them. It further added that the Generals wanted to frighten them into staying away from Aung San Suu Kyi, who was arrested again after that deplorable attack without any due legal process. The statement further underlined 'We are deeply concerned about the situation and are calling on our friends all over the world to send 'Release Aung San Suu Kyi' Postcards to your Members of Congress/Parliament, governmental leaders, and influential officials so as to win the immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners in Burma. The Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and the Leader of Burmese democracy movement Aung San Suu Kyi ia languishing, isolated and incommunicando in the house arrest and it is time that the call for her release reveberate all over. FROM: http://www.asiantribune.com/show_news.php?id=15909 _____________________________________________________________________________ Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's 60th Birthday - June 19th, 2005 VIEW THE NUMEROUS ONLINE BIRTHDAY GREETINGS SENT TO DAW AUNG SAN SUU KYI @ THE FOLLOWING URL: http://www.ethicaltraveler.org/candles ____________________________________________________________________________ -articles- *Freed driver gives details of Aung San Suu Kyi's arrest in May 2003 incident ____________________________________________________________________________ All the youths detained in connection with the 30 May Tabayin incident were released by the SPDC (State Peace and Development Council) from Hkamti Jail on 2 December. Ko Kyaw Soe Lin, who was the driver of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's car during the Tabayin trip, was among those released. Although many believe Ko Kyaw Soe Lin was instrumental in saving the life of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi during the Tabayin incident, Ko Kyaw Soe Lin himself, during an interview with DVB, attributed that to the power and glory of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the loving kindness of the people. Ko Kyaw Soe Lin began by explaining the views and concerns of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi for the NLD (National League for Democracy) members and the people during the Tabayin incident. Kyaw Soe Lin : Aunty, I mean Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, we all call her Aunty, she has great metta (loving kindness) and a true leader. When NLD supporters were attacked by the people, we were urged to drive away from the scene and Aunty said she did not feel right to leave her supporters behind. When we reached Ye-U, the local military commander came and called her. She told them that she would come if they carry out their duties according to law, if not she would rather stay with her supporters. This showed her true leadership and great metta for her supporters. Well, regarding our escape, I believe it has nothing to do with my driving experience. It is because of auntie's power and glory and the loving kindness of the people that we managed to escape from the incident. DVB : Yes. Could you relate to us your personal experience, from the very beginning? Kyaw Soe Lin : Yes. We saw that they were attacking us from the rear. All the supporters urged us to drive away. I thought the people wanted us to stop the car because they wanted to greet Aunty. I stopped the car and as I was about to talk I received news from the back of the convoy that the cars following us were attacking the people who came to greet us. Eventually they were hitting all the cars including ours. Then we were urged to drive away. Aunty said she did not feel right to leave her supporters behind. At that time our car was also struck. All the windows from both sides were smashed including the rearview mirrors. Finally, I decided to drive away from the scene because auntie's personal safety was being threatened. DVB : Did you notice whether Daw Aung San Suu Kyi receive any injuries? Kyaw Soe Lin : Actually, I did not pay much attention to her along the way because I was driving. But let me relate to you what others saw. They said they saw some cuts on her neck. Many said the same thing. DVB : What about you, did you receive any injuries? Kyaw Soe Lin : I received some cuts in my right arm from the broken glass. I was also hit twice on the head, once with a brick and the other I was not sure with what but I suffered a cut. DVB : Could you tell us where your car was blocked and how you were arrested? Kyaw Soe Lin : We arrived at Ye-U. Ours was the only car to reach Ye-U. There was a bamboo road barrier guarded by a few elderly men who said we were not allowed to enter the city. They then reported to the local authorities. Later, the local authorities and some policemen arrived followed by a military commander. They asked us to follow them to the police station. We were escorted to the police station by a few police cars and a few traffic police motorcycles. The commander followed in a four wheel drive military vehicle. That was what I saw. DVB : Yes. Could you also explain about Aunty Suu's last words and how Aunty Suu and you were separated? Kyaw Soe Lin : When we reached Ye-U, they were already talking about separating Aunty Suu from us. She told them that she could not come alone. She said she would come if they carry out their duties according to law, if not she would rather stay with us. They told her that they would and took Aunty away. Meanwhile, we were all put in the Ye-U police station lock-up. We spent two nights there and then were sent to Shwebo Jail. We spent one night in Shwebo and were sent to Khamti Jail by plane the following day. We were taken to Tada-U airport from Shwebo by a goods truck where we were later put on a plane to Khamti. Ko Kyaw Soe Lin is the son of U Ko Ko Gyi, the treasurer of Mandalay Division NLD. U Ko Ko Gyi was arrested in July by military intelligence personnel at Tada-U airport after he returned from visiting his son in Khamti jail. He is currently incarcerated at Mandalay jail. Source: Democratic Voice of Burma, Oslo, in Burmese 1430 gmt 9 Dec 03 BBC Monitoring Service * Please scroll down for more updates _____________________________________________________________________________ UPDATE: JUNE 20, 2005 _____________________________________________________________________________ India For Suu Kyi's Freedom _____________________________________________________________________________ By Mungpi Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com) June 20, 2005 New Delhi : India is striving through different channels for the liberation of Burma from the clutches of military dictatorship and the freedom of Aung San Suu Kyi, the Congress today said. "We are doing things through diplomacy, the government and our party to liberate Burma. We are also trying to get immediate release of this Nobel woman", All India Congress Committee (AICC) Secretary Mabel Rebello said at a programme organised on the occasion of Suu Kyi's 60th birthday. Congress is the major partner of the Untied Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in India. However, Prof. Anand Kumar, President of South Asia Forum for Peoples Initiative, criticised India's policy on Burma and its indifference towards the situation in that country. "Something is really wrong with our (government) system. We are not able to see what is happening in our neighborhood.. and neglects the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi," he said. Prof. Anand Kumar urged the Indian Government to extend "real and practical support" to Burma's pro-democracy movement and help the country in its "second phase of de-colonialism." Other speakers, including Prof. Sam Dam Rimpoche from Tibet, conveyed wishes to Aung San Suu Kyi on her birthday and called for hastening the political transition in Burma. While worldwide celebrations were observed on Suu Kyi's birthday, the National League for Democracy (NLD) leader spent the day in solitary confinement in her lakeside house in Rangoon. The birthday celebrations in New Delhi were jointly organised by the Association of Peoples of Asia and Burmese pro-democracy groups in New Delhi. Political leaders, intellectuals and individuals from Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet and India attended the programme. Meanwhile, a number of Suu Kyi supporters were today reportedly taken into custody by the authorities for holding a protest rally at Shwe Dagon Pagoda. FROM: http://www.mizzima.com/mizzima/archives/news-in-2005/ News-in-June/20-Jun-05-31.htm _____________________________________________________________________________ UPDATE: SEPT 22, 2004 _____________________________________________________________________________ World's pop stars band together for Myanmar's Suu Kyi Clapton, McCartney Join for Benefit Album _____________________________________________________________________________ View photo of the cover of a CD album featuring Myanmar's democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi. PLEASE COPY AND PASTE THE FOLLOWING URL INTO YOUR BROWSER'S LOCATION BOX: _____________________________________________________________________________ http://www.angelfire.com/co/begumnoor/forthelady.jpg _____________________________________________________________________________ September 23, 2004, 8:21 AM EDT By Associated Press LONDON -- Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, Sting and U2 are joining forces on a benefit album for Burmese democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi. R.E.M., Avril Lavigne, Coldplay and Travis are also contributing to a 27-track CD, "For the Lady: Dedicated to Freeing Aung San Suu Kyi." Proceeds from the CD, to be released Oct. 26, will go to the U.S. Campaign for Burma, it was announced Tuesday. Suu Kyi, the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize winner and leader of the National League for Democracy opposition party, has spent most of the past 14 years under house arrest. The military junta in her country, also called Myanmar, has tolerated little dissent since taking power after crushing a 1988 pro-democracy demonstration. The junta refused to hand over power or convene parliament after Suu Kyi's party won 1990 elections. "Aung San Suu Kyi is truly one of the world's most important, yet least known, heroes," said Chris Martin of Coldplay. "No matter how much she suffers, she never backs down in her quest for freedom. That's why Coldplay are supporting this effort, and why everyone who believes in human rights should buy this CD." "Her dedication, resolve, courage and patience are the mark of a leader. We stand tall for her as she will again stand tall for herself," said Michael Stipe, lead singer of R.E.M. The album will feature a U2 song, "Walk On," which is dedicated to Suu Kyi and has been banned in Myanmar. On the Net: http://www.uscampaignforburma.org/ _____________________________________________________________________________ FROM: http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/news/wire/ _____________________________________________________________________________ Reprinted under the Fair Use http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html Doctrine of International Copyright Law ____________________________________________________________________________