SBS Dateline
Burma's first election in 20 years delivered a decisive win to the ruling military junta last November, immediately international leaders and Burmese dissidents declared the election a sham, with reports of voter intimidation and electoral fraud. Now, through underground contacts inside the deeply secretive country, Dateline's Evan Williams has interviewed Aung San Suu Kyi for her reaction to the election and has received footage filmed undercover showing how the military crafted the election outcome.
REPORTER: Evan Williams
REPORTER: Evan Williams
For supporters of Aung San Suu Kyi, patience is a virtue. This was the scene outside her front gate before her long-awaited release from house arrest last November. When the moment game they couldn't restrain their joy. This is the woman many consider the rightful ruler of Burma, and the next day they were back to hear her speak.
AUNG SAN SUU KYI, OPPOSITION LEADER (Translation): I have said many times that I rely on the people’s power, without the people’s power nothing can succeed. So this power will be used methodically – just wanting something is not enough, you must know how it get it, you must also dare to do it and be able to do it…
While the crowds were delighted, Aung San Suu Kyi's appearance came just six days after Burma's first elections in 20 years. This is how the vote was shown on Burma's state-run television. The result was a resounding win for the military-backed party the USDP, but in an exclusive interview for Dateline, Aung San Suu Kyi said the result was meaningless.
