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Democracy leader Suu Kyi urges 'real genuine talks' in Burma
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Although her party boycotted the vote, she said she would be willing to work within Burma's new parliamentary framework if the government gives opposition forces sufficient voice in the political structure.
Suu Kyi, who was deeply isolated during her 71/2 years under house arrest, said she had not spoken with the junta or other political parties since her release Saturday. But she called for talks with all parties and groups within Burma's political landscape, which has been badly fractured by decades of civil war and an almost complete lack of discussion between her party and the junta.
She and Than Shwe have talked with each other only when she has been in detention.
As to how Burmese might find justice for human rights violations by the junta, Suu Kyi said she favored a truth-and-reconciliation process in which perpetrators would be asked to come forward in a manner similar to that in post-apartheid South Africa. "That is different from meting out grave punishment in a vengeful manner for what has been done," she said.
Suu Kyi stepped away from her strong support for economic sanctions against the government that were imposed by the United States and the European Union. "Obviously, there has to be a time when we must rethink the situation," she said of the measures, which have been a major point of contention between her and Than Shwe's junta.
Malinowski called on the administration to tighten sanctions against Burmese officials and companies, which the Obama administration has said it is considering. He added that he wants to see the U.S. government step up support for a commission of inquiry at the United Nations to look into war crimes allegations.
The U.S. support for such a commission has been lackluster, Malinowski and other analysts said, with the White House seemingly more interested in the issue than the State Department. Over the weekend, statements from the White House and President Obama stressed the need for "accountability" for Burma's oppressors, but State Department remarks did not mention the word.
Ernie Bower, a security expert on Southeast Asia at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, agreed that Suu Kyi's release had the potential to create a firestorm but that the United States has few policy options beyond trying to marshal neighboring countries to pressure the junta.
"We really need to step up our engagement with China, India, Japan and [the Association of Southeast Asian Nations] and say: 'Look, here's what could be a step forward. It's time for you guys to support restraint and convince the government to give this some room," he said.
After recent comments that she might set up a Twitter account, Suu Kyi said she was deciding whether to opt for a Facebook page instead, given that younger Burmese tended to choose the latter. Twitter is banned in Burma but can be accessed easily through proxy servers, as with many other barred Web sites in the country.
"They [the Burmese censors] cannot keep even these young people - boys - cut off completely from the rest of the world," she said.
Finch is a special correspondent. Pomfret reported from Washington.
