Aang San Suu Kyi visiting Nepal in June

KOSH RAJ KOIRALA

KATHMANDU, April 21 : Myanmar opposition leader and democracy icon Aang San Suu Kyi is arriving in Kathmandu in the second week of June.

Su Kyi is arriving in Kathmandu to participate in a two-day function being organized by B P Memorial Trust and BP Thought Academy on the occasion of the late B P Koirala´ centenary birth celebrations starting June 14. She is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech on the theme -- Relevance of Social Democracy-- at the function.

According to the Prime Minister´s Foreign Relations advisor Dr Dinesh Bhattarai, the two-day visit by Suu Kyi´s has been confirmed. "As of now, the visit is highly likely. She will be arriving in Kathmandu on June 14 should everything go as planned," he said.

While BP Memorial Trust is headed by Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, BP Thought Academy is headed by Haribol Bhattarai. The function is being organized to promote democratic socialism -- the guiding principle of Nepali Congress -- in Nepal.

During her stay in Kathmandu, the peace Nobel laureate will hold meeting with President Dr Ram Baran Yadav, Prime Minister Sushil Koirala and top leaders from various political parties. Sources said preparations are also underway for a possible address to parliament by her.

In his visit to Myanmar in February-end for the BIMSTEC Summit, Prime Minister Sushil Koirala had held a meeting with Su Kyi in recognition of her relentless struggle for democracy in Myanmar. The two leaders had exchanged views on democracy, peace, and development on the occasion.

As Suu Kyi´s mother Khin Kyi was residential ambassador of Burma to India, which was concurrently accreditated to Nepal from 1960 to 1967, Suu Kyi had opportunities to visit Nepal many time in 1960s. Suu Kyi, who has also authored a book entitled ´Let´s Visit Nepal´, had recalled her visits to Nepal during the meeting with Prime Minister Koirala.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Koirala had extended invitation to Suu Kyi to visit Nepal on the occasion of late B P Koirala´s birth centennial.

The late B P Koirala, who is the founding leader of the ruling Nepali Congress, had a good personal rapport with the father of Suu Kyi as both the leaders were proponents of Socialist International. Suu Kyi´s family had even supported Nepal´s movement for democracy back in 1940s when autocratic Rana oligarchy was in place.

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2014/04/22/aang-san-suu-kyi-visiting-nepal-in-june/