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Aung San Suu Kyi pays tribute to BBC on tour of UK Aung San Suu Kyi pays tribute to BBC on tour of UK
(about 1 hour later)
  
Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has thanked the BBC World Service for keeping her "in touch", during her years of house arrest in Burma.Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has thanked the BBC World Service for keeping her "in touch", during her years of house arrest in Burma.
On the first day of a UK tour, she met the BBC's director general and staff at the BBC Burmese Service in London.On the first day of a UK tour, she met the BBC's director general and staff at the BBC Burmese Service in London.
Earlier she stressed the "importance of the rule of law" in democracy, at a London School of Economics debate.Earlier she stressed the "importance of the rule of law" in democracy, at a London School of Economics debate.
During the four-day tour, Ms Suu Kyi is due to meet members of the Royal Family and address Parliament. She is due to arrive in Oxford - her home in the early 1980s - shortly for a party to celebrate her 67th birthday.
The pro-democracy leader was freed from more than two decades of house arrest in late 2010.The pro-democracy leader was freed from more than two decades of house arrest in late 2010.
'Thrilled'
On her visit to BBC Broadcasting House in central London, she paid tribute to BBC staff.On her visit to BBC Broadcasting House in central London, she paid tribute to BBC staff.
"Because of the BBC I never lost touch with my people, with the movement for democracy in Burma and with the rest of the world. For that I would like to thank all of you very sincerely," she said. "Because of the BBC I never lost touch with my people, with the movement for democracy in Burma and with the rest of the world," she said.
'Resolving conflict' Ms Suu Kyi also met former Radio 1 disc jockey Dave Lee Travis, whose BBC World Service show she listened to while detained.
Ms Suu Kyi also met former Radio 1 disc jockey Dave Lee Travis, whose BBC World Service show she listened to while under house arrest.
It was a real honour to receive Aung San Suu Kyi at the World Service.It was a real honour to receive Aung San Suu Kyi at the World Service.
What was really striking was that she was genuinely pleased to see us here.What was really striking was that she was genuinely pleased to see us here.
She spoke about how she listened to the World Service during her years of detention.She spoke about how she listened to the World Service during her years of detention.
It was her link to the outside world, it kept her informed and she relied on the knowledge it provided.It was her link to the outside world, it kept her informed and she relied on the knowledge it provided.
She even had some suggestions about programming.She even had some suggestions about programming.
She told us that this visit to the World Service felt a like coming back to a family.She told us that this visit to the World Service felt a like coming back to a family.
Her schedule is very tight, but for everyone in the Burmese service this was an unforgettable experience. For everyone in the Burmese service this was an unforgettable experience.
During a brief conversation, Ms Suu Kyi recalled how she was "thrilled" to hear a young Burmese boy speaking on his programme for the first time.During a brief conversation, Ms Suu Kyi recalled how she was "thrilled" to hear a young Burmese boy speaking on his programme for the first time.
"Well that's the World Service," Mr Lee Travis replied."Well that's the World Service," Mr Lee Travis replied.
"It does what it says on the tin, and I am just glad to have been a part of the things that you listened to that helped you.""It does what it says on the tin, and I am just glad to have been a part of the things that you listened to that helped you."
Afterwards, Mr Lee Travis added: "It is so delightful to shake the hand of a person that is doing such a lot for freedom around the world." Afterwards, Mr Lee Travis added: "It is so delightful to shake the hand of a person that is doing such a lot for freedom."
Taking part in a round-table debate at LSE on Tuesday morning - her 67th birthday - Ms Suu Kyi said reform and democracy were only possible when "justice was done and seen to be done". Taking part in a round-table debate at LSE on Tuesday morning, Ms Suu Kyi said reform and democracy were only possible when "justice was done and seen to be done".
Asked why she did not condemn the military junta in Burma, she explained that "resolving conflict is not about condemnation", but about discovering and solving the roots of conflict.Asked why she did not condemn the military junta in Burma, she explained that "resolving conflict is not about condemnation", but about discovering and solving the roots of conflict.
She also said she had been "touched by the warmth" that people had welcomed her with during the visit.She also said she had been "touched by the warmth" that people had welcomed her with during the visit.
Her two-week-long tour - her first to Europe since 1988 - is seen as another milestone for Burma's political progress and includes visits to the UK, Switzerland, France and Norway.Her two-week-long tour - her first to Europe since 1988 - is seen as another milestone for Burma's political progress and includes visits to the UK, Switzerland, France and Norway.
Her decision to travel has been seen as a sign of confidence in the government of President Thein Sein, who has pursued a course of reform since coming to power last year, in Burma's first elections in 20 years.Her decision to travel has been seen as a sign of confidence in the government of President Thein Sein, who has pursued a course of reform since coming to power last year, in Burma's first elections in 20 years.
Royal meetingRoyal meeting
On Wednesday, the opposition leader will address Oxford University where she is expected to receive an honorary degree.On Wednesday, the opposition leader will address Oxford University where she is expected to receive an honorary degree.
She lived in the city for a number of years with her British husband, Michael Aris, before returning to Burma. She lived in the city for a number of years with her British husband, Michael Aris, and their two children before returning to Burma.
Ms Suu Kyi will meet the Prince of Wales Duchess of Cornwall on Thursday, as well as addressing both Houses of Parliament. Ahead of a meeting with Ms Suu Kyi on Thursday, Foreign Secretary William Hague told the Commons it was "vital for all of us who believe in freedom and democracy" to work with her.
He added: "It is important to recognise that there is still a long way to go in Burma.
"I do believe that the president of Burma is sincere in his intentions, but there will be a variety of views about the democratic progress of Burma within the regime."
Ms Suu Kyi will also meet the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall on Thursday, as well as addressing both Houses of Parliament.
Ms Suu Kyi is the daughter of Burmese independence leader Aung San, who was assassinated in 1947.Ms Suu Kyi is the daughter of Burmese independence leader Aung San, who was assassinated in 1947.
She became the leader of Burma's pro-democracy movement when, after living abroad for many years, she returned to Burma in 1988, initially to look after her sick mother.She became the leader of Burma's pro-democracy movement when, after living abroad for many years, she returned to Burma in 1988, initially to look after her sick mother.
She never left the country, fearing its military rulers would not allow her to return and was unable to receive her Nobel Peace Prize in person, or be with her husband when he died in 1999.She never left the country, fearing its military rulers would not allow her to return and was unable to receive her Nobel Peace Prize in person, or be with her husband when he died in 1999.