Tour by Burma's Lady could cause riots

US Campaign for Burma

RANGOON, Burma (Reuters) A possible tour of Burmese by pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi could cause riots, state media warned on Wednesday (June 28, 2011), implying she would be responsible for her own safety.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Suu Kyi is planning her first trip outside the former capital Rangoon/Yangon since she was freed from home detention last year just after elections to end army rule. [They capital was moved by the country's dictators to a private city built from scratch called Naypyidaw.]

The military still effectively controls the government.

Uppatasanti, a replacement Shwedagon Pagoda in Nyapyidaw

"Her followers and supporters are gushing that the icon must keep in touch with the public. They seem willing to exploit the public. They also propagate that the government is responsible for security of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on her trip," a commentary in all three official newspapers said.

"We are deeply concerned that if Daw Aung San Suu Kyi makes trips to countryside regions, there may be chaos and riots, as evidenced by previous incidents," it added.

"Daw" is an honorific in Burma for women.

In 2003, in an episode now known as the Depayin Massacre, Suu Kyi's motorcade was attacked by pro-junta thugs and 70 of her supporters died in what was seen as an assassination attempt. More

The Lady, Burma's Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

• In Burma, a woman’s inner freedom, unbroken by fear
• Suu Kyi Condemns Burma’s "Tradition" of Violence
• US Urged to Target More Junta Cronies
• Suu Kyi: Arab Spring is an “inspiration” to the Burmese
• US raps Burma, others not ending human trafficking
• Suu Kyi delivers prestigious BBC annual lecture
• Myanmar deports "blacklisted" Michelle Yeoh
• Hollywood actress deported from Myanmar
• Burma Deports Hollywood Star Michelle Yeoh
• US appeals for safety of Myanmar refugees