First test of freedom for Suu Kyi

YANGON, Myanmar -- Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has left central Yangon for the first time since her release from house arrest.

In her first real test of freedom, the Nobel laureate drove unannounced to a reopened township party office beyond downtown Yangon, where she was met by a boisterous crowd of hundreds.

As she got out of her car, the crowd, which had been tipped off about her visit, cheered and chanted: "May you live long, Aung San Suu Kyi."

The visit to the northern suburb of Shwepyitha, 32 kilometers (20 miles) north of Yangon is the first test of her political freedom since her release from house arrest on May 6.

The trip also served to demonstrate the military government's willingness to honor its pledge to allow her full political freedom as part of ongoing reconciliation efforts.

Aung San Suu Kyi addressed the people outside the office of the National League for Democracy (NLD) office for five minutes and was accompanied by NLD vice chairman Tin Oo and some youth members.

"The NLD is working for the welfare of everyone in the country, not for NLD alone. Don't support me without knowing what we are doing," Aung San Suu Kyi told the crowd.

Last time Aung San Suu Kyi ventured outside the city was September 2000. The trip was taken in defiance of the military junta's order against her traveling, and it resulted in house arrest.

However, observers have said that the Nobel peace laureate is likely to maintain a low profile, so as not to provoke the ruling military regime.

Although the trip was seen as symbolic, the NLD office has said that the visit to Shwepyitha is routine and that trips to other suburban party offices will be conducted in the coming weeks.

Aung San Suu Kyi's priority since her release has been to reorganize her political party, the NLD, which won a landslide election victory in 1990 -- yet was never recognized by the military.

She said in a recent radio interview on Radio Free Asia that all restrictions on her movements had been lifted and although this had yet to be tested she did not anticipate problems.

"I can move about freely and invite any guest I want to. No disturbance at all. I don't think there will be any disturbance when I visit township offices," Aung San Suu Kyi said in the broadcast.