The Generals of the junta that rules Burma have every reason to feel fear. For decades the flame of freedom has been kept alive by Aung San Suu Kyi, the charismatic leader of the National League for Democracy ( NDL ) who in 1990 won an election to govern in a landslide.
The junta ignored this result and placed Suu Kyi under house arrest - and incarcerated the leaders of her democracy movement. They denied her dieing husband a visa to visit and have kept her separated from her children for over ten years.
Suu Kyi has been like the sword of Damocles hanging over their heads. The great mass of the people yearn for relief from autocratic rule and the Generals know that despite their massive armies and tight laws Burma is ever on the edge of revolt - and they can never sleep easily in their beds.
They have conducted a sham election to try and present a democratic face and have released Suu Kyi from house arrest. Unfortunately it will inevitably take massive loss of life to end their despotic rule.
The Generals live in mortal fear - from this charismatic symbol - a slightly built, ageing woman who has the support of the people - and who they refer to in awe as " the lady by the lake ".
They may have the guns - but the people have the numbers - and it is only a matter of time before Suu Kyi prevails !
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