A Jasmine-Planting in honour of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

Date 24 July 2007
It was a fine and sunny morning in a town in North West Essex, some 50 miles from London, called Saffron Walden. The Mayor of Saffron Walden and his associates, members from the local Amnesty International group, some honoured invited guests and local residents came to the meeting place in Bridge End garden, to celebrate a jasmine-planting ceremony in honour of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

"The reasons we hold this planting ceremony for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is because we want to show respect and solidarity for her and the people of Burma; we want to raise awareness in anticipation of her freedom in the near future and we would like to show our admiration for her graceful courage and strongly-held principles, honouring her and drawing the British public’s attention to her and the example she has set in her belief in non-violent protest and the conditions in which she lives and the sacrifices she has made, during her years of struggle for what she believes in" said Mr. Francis Deutsch, the local chairman of Amnesty International, Saffron Walden.
The Mayor of Saffron Walden, Mr Sarfraz Anjum, expressed his concern for her wellbeing and respect for her endeavours in the non violent struggle for democracy in Burma. Ms. Imoger Mollet who used to work for the United Nations whilst Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was working there under the administration of the former Secretary-General (1961-1971), spoke about Daw Aung San Suu Kyi using her phrase "Please Use your liberty to promote ours" at the end of her speech. Soe Naing and I were invited to join the ceremony and also addressed the attendees. Afterwards the Mayor of Saffron Walden, and the local chairman of Amnesty International, planted a jasmine tree and we all paid tribute to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
On behalf of Burmese people I want to express my huge thanks for the support of our struggle towards freedom and democracy in Burma to those who organised this graceful ceremony, especially to Pam Gidsby, the local secretary of Amnesty International, Saffron Walden. I was also able to ask those who attended to persist in their support for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as well as for Burma, because it is vital in achieving significant change. Due to the current situation in Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi’s freedom is crucial to the national reconciliation process and essential to guide the way towards a democratic Burma for the entire Burmese population, both inside and outside the country
Thant Zin.
BDMA-UK
Burmese Democratic Movement Association-UK
For More Info: info@bdmauk.org
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