Aung San Suu Kyi at 60

Birthday Girl

Aung San Suu Kyi -- still under house arrest in Yangoon -- turns 60 this Sunday, and here's what a few of the world's figures have to say about her and her detention.

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“It is unfortunate that she is celebrating under circumstances that one would not have wished for her, a leader of her party, and I wish she were out amongst the people and her supporters, pushing for stability and democracy and democratization of her society.”

—Kofi Annan, UN Secretary-General

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“As Aung San Suu Kyi celebrates her 60th birthday, I wish for her that those changes will happen as soon as possible, and that my silly idea—to hand her a rose—becomes a simple and easy thing to do.”

—Vaclav Havel, Former President of the Czech Republic

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“Because your cause is our cause, wherever freedom-loving people rise up to carry on the legacy of the Rose Revolution, the spirit and support of the Georgian people stand with you.”

—Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili

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“Her dedication, resolve, courage and patience are the mark of a leader. We stand tall for her, as she will again stand tall for herself.”

—REM lead singer Michael Stipe

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“We join people around the world in protesting the house arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi, who is a leader in the struggle for freedom in Burma.”

—Laura Bush, First Lady of the United States, in her remarks on International Women's Day on March 8, 2005

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“There is nothing they have to lose [by releasing Suu Kyi]. It will make things easier for everyone.”

—Malaysia’s former premier Mahathir Mohamad

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“Her treatment by the Burmese authorities is indefensible…”

—British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw

The Irrawaddy Online