Suu Kyi takes historic oath in Parliament

NAYPYITAW, Myanmar - The Associated Press

Myanmar pro-democracy icon Suu Kyi (5th L) takes the oath in Parliament. Suu Kyi recently refused to join Parliament because of a phrasing problem in the oath. AP photo

Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was sworn in to Myanmar’s military-backed Parliament yesterday, taking public office for the first time since launching her struggle against authoritarian rule nearly a quarter century ago.

With white roses in her hair, Suu Kyi stood along with several dozen of her National League for Democracy party’s lawmakers as the speaker the lower house asked them to read the oath. Speaking briefly to a mob of reporters after swearing-in ceremony in the capital, Naypyitaw, Suu Kyi said her focus will be “to carry out our duties within the parliament as we have been carrying out our duties outside the Parliament for the last 20 or so years.”

Suu Kyi and her colleagues had refused to join parliament April 23 because they object to phrasing in the oath that obligates them to “safeguard the constitution” and wanted the word “safeguard” changed to “respect.” The vast majority of seats are held by the military-backed ruling party and the army.