“It was a great honour and privilege for me to have an opportunity to talk with her. She is one of the biggest heroes of our time. I respect and admire her stand and the example she is giving to us, an example of someone who is making so many personal sacrifices for the sake of her people. Having our own Czechoslovak 40-year long experience with an undemocratic regime we understand how important it is to have such brave people who dare to speak out,” commented Schwarzenberg on his call with Aung San Suu Kyi and stressed the importance of her direct contacts with other world leaders. “She needs to get the chance to communicate her opinions directly and I will further encourage my colleagues and fellow foreign ministers to be in direct contact with her,” added K. Schwarzenberg.

Aung San Suu Kyi was held under house arrest for almost 20 years. She can not travel abroad freely, and people in high official possitions can not come to Burma to meet her. The current regime works to marginalize and delegitimize her and the international community should oppose these efforts. Aung San Suu Kyi is the most genuine representative of the Burmese people, as public reaction to her release has shown once again. Aung San Suu Kyi and the Burmese people deserve direct access to leading international figures and those international representatives should be ready to listen to her and the voice of the Burmese people.