Burma TV honours Suu Kyi’s father

BURMA’S state television has broadcast a memorial to the ­father of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, the independence hero General Aung San.
It marked the 65th anniversary of his assassination in 1947 and was the first time in more than 20 years that Burma had commemorated his contribution as the military junta sought to undermine Ms Suu Kyi’s ­popularity.
She has led Burma’s pro-­democracy movement since 1988 and was held under house arrest for 15 years. She was released after the junta allowed the formation of a civilian ­government last year, dominated by retired army officers, which has embarked on political and financial reforms.
Yesterday, Martyr’s Day ceremonies were broadcast live on state television, and the government dispatched one of its two vice presidents to attend.
With flags flying at half mast, vice-president Sai Mauk Hkam joined Ms Suu Kyi as she laid three baskets of flowers in front of her father’s tomb in Rangoon, near the foot of the golden Shwedagon pagoda.
Sai Mauk Hkam laid a wreath of white orchids and saluted as a two-minute silence was observed.
General Aung San was 32 when gunned down on 19 July, 1947, along with six cabinet ministers and two other officials. He is considered the architect of Burma’s independence from Britain, which it achieved several months after his death.


http://article.wn.com/view/2012/07/19/Burma_TV_marks_Suu_Kyi_fathers_Martyrs_Day_memorial/