Burma's Aung San Suu Kyi in first trip beyond Rangoon

Security for the trip to Bago had been a concern

The
Burmese pro-democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, is making her first
political trip outside Rangoon since her release from house arrest last
November.

She is visiting Bago, about 80km (50 miles) north of her hometown.




In what was widely interpreted as a veiled threat, the
Burmese authorities had earlier warned that such a trip could trigger
unrest.




But recent moves suggest a thaw in relations could be under way.



Safety concerns

Aung San Suu Kyi plans to be away from Rangoon for just one
day, but her publicly released schedule suggests she is determined to
make the most of it.




She plans to visit a monastery, open one or two libraries and join a youth forum.




Security for the trip will be provided by the Burmese authorities and members of her National League for Democracy party.




Ms Suu Kyi's safety has been a concern.




In 2003 her convoy was attacked by a group widely believed to be linked to the old military government.




The incident left several people dead and resulted in a seven-year stretch of house arrest for Aung San Suu Kyi.




But times have changed somewhat. A new nominally civilian
government is now in place and in recent weeks it has shown a
willingness to try to reach an accommodation with Ms Suu Kyi.




There have been two rounds of talks between the pro democracy
leader and a government minister, with both sides expressing a desire
to cooperate for the good of the country.




This day trip will be a test of that new relationship and
perhaps give some hint of the role Ms Suu Kyi might play in the future.