Suu Kyi conferred Mahatma Gandhi Peace award

M Subramoney

Durban, Jul 21 (PTI) The pro-democracy Myanmar leader
and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has been conferred Mahatma
Gandhi International Award for Peace and Reconciliation here
as Burmese prime minister in-exile Thien Win calling on India
and South Africa to support their struggle for freedom.

Terming Suu Kyi as a devoted follower of Gandhi's
principles and moral values, Win said India and South Africa
should support Myanmar's struggle for freedom.

Win made these comments as he received the award on
behalf of jailed Suu Kyi from the South Africa's Deputy
Minister of Foreign Affairs Ebrahim Ismail at a function at
the Durban City Hall last night. The award has been institued
by the Mahatma Gandhi Foundation.

Win's appeal evoked instant response with the Premier
of the KwaZulu-Natal province Zweli Mkhize, who was the guest
of honour, saying "the people and government of South Africa
fully supported the struggles of Aung San Suu Kyi and the
people of Burma."

"We will work with UN Secretary General and the UN to
ensure that the elections in Myanmar next year is credible,"
he said.

The Foundation also presented the Satyagraha awards to
former activists involved in the anti-apartheid struggles.

The Foundation first initiated the awards in 2003 in
order to honour those who had struggled for South Africa's
freedom and also international freedom fighters. PTI