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Burma's Aung San Suu Kyi addresses Houses of Parliament Aung San Suu Kyi calls for UK's support
(40 minutes later)
Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has made an historic address to both Houses of Parliament, after meeting David Cameron at Number 10. Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has urged the UK to support moves to democracy in Burma, in an historic address to both Houses of Parliament.
Ms Suu Kyi told MPs that the support of people in the UK could take Burma much further towards democracy. Ms Suu Kyi said the support of people in the UK and around the world could get Burma much further towards change.
Mr Cameron earlier described Ms Suu Kyi as an inspiration for people in the UK and around the world. She earlier met Prime Minister David Cameron at Downing Street.
Her meeting with Mr Cameron followed an engagement with the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall. Ms Suu Kyi, who spent two decades until 2010 under house arrest during military rule in Burma, is the first non-head of state to address Parliament.
The prime minister said the UK would be a "resolute friend" to her and Burma. It has emerged the government has also invited Burma's leader to visit the UK. She was greeted by applause when she was introduced to MPs and peers in Parliament's Westminster Hall by Commons Speaker John Bercow, who described her as "the conscience of a country and a heroine for humanity".
Ms Suu Kyi was greeted by applause when she was introduced to MPs and peers in Parliament's Westminster Hall by Commons Speaker John Bercow, who described her as "the conscience of a country and a heroine for humanity". In her address, she said it was important to empower the people of Burma, and now was her country's most difficult time.
In her address she said it was important to empower the people of Burma, and now was her country's most difficult time. She said: "I am here in part to ask for practical help, help as a friend and an equal, in support of the reforms which can bring better lives, greater opportunities, to the people of Burma who have been for so long deprived of their rights and their place in the world.
She said: "My country today stands at the start of a journey towards, I hope, a better future. So many hills remain to be climbed, chasms to be bridged, obstacles to be breached. "My country today stands at the start of a journey towards, I hope, a better future. So many hills remain to be climbed, chasms to be bridged, obstacles to be breached.
"Our own determination can get us so far, the support of the people of Britain, and peoples around the world, can get us so much further." "Our own determination can get us so far. The support of the people of Britain and of peoples around the world can get us so much further."
Aung San Suu Kyi makes history when she addresses both Houses of Parliament in Westminster Hall.Aung San Suu Kyi makes history when she addresses both Houses of Parliament in Westminster Hall.
But the very challenging political realities of Burma run through the business end of her day too.But the very challenging political realities of Burma run through the business end of her day too.
Foreign Secretary William Hague said they had discussed Britain's desire to help the people of Burma achieve economic development, entrench the rule of law, build democratic institutions and end ethnic conflict - building the organisational capacity of Aung San Suu Kyi's own party a vital element.Foreign Secretary William Hague said they had discussed Britain's desire to help the people of Burma achieve economic development, entrench the rule of law, build democratic institutions and end ethnic conflict - building the organisational capacity of Aung San Suu Kyi's own party a vital element.
Her April meeting with David Cameron presented another chance to reinforce this support for the transition from military rule to democracy, which has now seen Burma's president invited to Britain as well.Her April meeting with David Cameron presented another chance to reinforce this support for the transition from military rule to democracy, which has now seen Burma's president invited to Britain as well.
But for Aung San Suu Kyi there is no underestimating the significance of the address she gives in Westminster Hall - the first female foreign dignitary to do so.But for Aung San Suu Kyi there is no underestimating the significance of the address she gives in Westminster Hall - the first female foreign dignitary to do so.
She said Britain was living proof that a constitution did not have to be written down, but had to be accepted by the people.
Ms Suu Kyi said Burma's current constitution needed to be amended to reflect the country's ethnic composition. She was given a standing ovation after speaking for about 30 minutes.Ms Suu Kyi said Burma's current constitution needed to be amended to reflect the country's ethnic composition. She was given a standing ovation after speaking for about 30 minutes.
It is Ms Suu Kyi's first trip to Britain since leaving 24 years ago to lead Burma's pro-democracy movement. Her visit is Ms Suu Kyi's first trip to the UK since leaving 24 years ago to lead Burma's pro-democracy movement.
Earlier, at a joint news conference in Downing Street, the UK prime minister paid tribute to Ms Suu Kyi. Earlier, at a joint news conference at Number 10, the UK prime minister paid tribute to Ms Suu Kyi.
He said: "Over these years you have been a symbol of courage and of hope for our people and for your people and around the world.He said: "Over these years you have been a symbol of courage and of hope for our people and for your people and around the world.
"Your example has inspired people across the world and it's inspired people here in Britain too.""Your example has inspired people across the world and it's inspired people here in Britain too."
Mr Cameron said the UK would invest in strengthening Burmese democracy.Mr Cameron said the UK would invest in strengthening Burmese democracy.
Ms Suu Kyi said the "warmth" shown to her on her journey to the UK was a good sign for Burma. Ms Suu Kyi, who also had talks with Foreign Secretary William Hague, said the "warmth" shown to her on her journey to the UK was a good sign for Burma.
"I had thought of myself as one politician travelling from one country to another but I find people have accepted me as one of them," she said.
"For this I am very grateful, not because I have enjoyed the fruits of this warmth but because it is a good augury for the future of my country.
"It means that my country which has long been apart from the democracies of the world will soon begin to join in this great community that will ensure the happy future of our country.""It means that my country which has long been apart from the democracies of the world will soon begin to join in this great community that will ensure the happy future of our country."
She said Burma needed investment that supported democracy and human rights.She said Burma needed investment that supported democracy and human rights.
Ms Suu Kyi's address to the Houses of Parliament in Westminster Hall is an honour normally accorded only to heads of state. It has emerged the government has also invited Burma's leader to visit the UK. The Burmese government is considering the invitation.
Earlier on Thursday morning, Ms Suu Kyi had arrived at Clarence House in a chauffeur-driven Range Rover to be greeted by Prince Charles and Camilla. BBC political correspondent Ross Hawkins said behind the pomp and circumstance of Ms Suu Kyi's speech there had been a real political aim and a cry for practical help from the UK.
She joined the royal couple in their private apartments, although no details of their discussion have been revealed. Ms Suu Kyi's meeting with Mr Cameron followed an engagement with the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall at Clarence House. No details of their discussion have been revealed.
Ms Suu Kyi met Mr Cameron in April when he became the first Western leader to visit Burma after the country's military leaders had decided to allow her and her party to stand in parliamentary elections.Ms Suu Kyi met Mr Cameron in April when he became the first Western leader to visit Burma after the country's military leaders had decided to allow her and her party to stand in parliamentary elections.
Since then, he has championed the suspension of international sanctions against Burma, arguing that new President Thein Sein is genuinely committed to reform.Since then, he has championed the suspension of international sanctions against Burma, arguing that new President Thein Sein is genuinely committed to reform.
Foreign Secretary William Hague, who also held talks with Ms Suu Kyi on Thursday, said it had been a pleasure to welcome Ms Suu Kyi to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Ms Suu Kyi, who is on a four-day visit to the UK, lived in Oxford in the 1980s with her husband, Tibetan scholar Michael Aris, and their sons Alexander and Kim.
He praised her and President Thein Sein for the progress they had made in their country. "However, Burma still faces many challenges," he added. Poll boycotted
Ms Suu Kyi, who is on a four-day visit to the UK, worked in New York and Bhutan before settling in Oxford in the 1980s with her husband, Tibetan scholar Michael Aris, and their sons Alexander and Kim.
She became the leader of Burma's pro-democracy movement when she returned to Burma in 1988, initially to look after her sick mother.She became the leader of Burma's pro-democracy movement when she returned to Burma in 1988, initially to look after her sick mother.
Ms Suu Kyi, now 67, was placed under house arrest by the military and not released until November 2010.Ms Suu Kyi, now 67, was placed under house arrest by the military and not released until November 2010.
Her two-week-long tour to Europe - her first since 1988 - also includes visits to Switzerland, France and Norway.Her two-week-long tour to Europe - her first since 1988 - also includes visits to Switzerland, France and Norway.
Meanwhile on Thursday, BBC foreign correspondent Fergal Keane said the Burmese government had confirmed it had received an invitation to visit the UK and was "planning to discuss" it.
Our correspondent said he understands the visit is expected to come later in 2012. It would be the first visit by a Burmese head of state to the country's former colonial ruler in half a century.
President Thein Sein is a former general who now leads a military-backed party which won the majority of seats in the 2010 general election - a poll boycotted by the party of Ms Suu Kyi.President Thein Sein is a former general who now leads a military-backed party which won the majority of seats in the 2010 general election - a poll boycotted by the party of Ms Suu Kyi.
She has spoken warmly of the president in the past, saying he is a man she trusts in negotiations. However, she has spoken warmly of the president in the past, saying he is a man she trusts in negotiations.