Two weeks ago, I wrote a commentary suggesting a need to hear from detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Now it is welcome news that Suu Kyi has released a message through UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari.

The Lady finally broke her silence with her first public message since she began her current term of house arrest in 2003.

Gambari was vindicated, for until yesterday the latest UN mission to Burma teetered on the edge of failure. But Suu Kyi saved the day—and Gambari’s job—by releasing a statement through the UN envoy.

What is important now is to carefully analyze Suu Kyi’s statement and understand how she currently stands politically.

First, Suu Kyi carefully reinforced the UN’s position in the country by saying that she was grateful to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for what she called his unwavering support for the cause of national reconciliation, democracy and human rights in her country.

Then she quickly tackled the really important issue. After seeing several of the regime’s “liaison officers” come and go in the past, she welcomed the appointment of retired General Aung Kyi as minister for relations, charged with liaison between her and the regime.

“Our first meeting on 25 October was constructive and I look forward to further regular discussions,” she said. “I expect that this phase of preliminary consultations will conclude soon so that a meaningful and time-bound dialogue with the SPDC (State Peace and Development Council) leadership can start as early as possible.”

Suu Kyi skillfully emphasized the appointment of a liaison minister as a binding process because past assignments of this kind had been seen as a shrewd regime strategy to buy time and create breathing space.

This was a well-calculated move on her part as in her message she called for direct dialogue with top military leaders, not with Aung Kyi.

After calling for dialogue, she demonstrated her willingness to cooperate with the regime and welcomed the good offices of the UN to facilitate the dialogue process.

“In the interest of the nation, I stand ready to cooperate with the government in order to make this process of dialogue a success and welcome the necessary good offices role of the United Nations to help facilitate our efforts in this regard,” Suu Kyi said.

More interestingly, she highlighted the role of her opposition party, the National League for Democracy, the 1990 landslide election winner.

As general secretary of the NLD, the Nobel Peace laureate stressed that she would be guided by the policies and wishes of her party.

In fact, this is nothing new, but this time she took a new direction and added: “However, in this time of vital need for democratic solidarity and national unity, it is my duty to give constant and serious considerations to the interests and opinions of as broad a range of political organizations and forces as possible, in particular those of our ethnic nationality races.”

This was indeed a well thought-out message, mentioning ethnic nationalities and addressing the concerns and fears of possible national chaos and disintegration.

Suu Kyi, who regularly listens to the radio in her Rangoon home, must have learned of the concerns expressed by some “Burma experts” and regional governments about a possible Iraq or Yugoslavia scenario if sudden change occurred in Burma.

Her message is that she is not looking for regime-change but for “democratic solidarity and national unity.”

Suu Kyi stressed again that she is seeking the path of dialogue and not the devastation and confrontation regime leader Snr-Gen Than Shwe accuses her of. “To that end, I am committed to pursue the path of dialogue constructively and invite the government and all relevant parties to join me in this spirit.”

Her message is timely, coming shortly before an Asean summit in Singapore. The detained democracy leader did not forget to mention the regional body and acknowledge the role of Asean.

Suu Kyi said in her message: “I believe that stability, prosperity and democracy for my country, living at peace with itself and with full respect for human rights, offers the best prospect for my country to fully contribute to the development and stability of the region in close partnership with its neighbors and fellow Asean members, and to play a positive role as a respected member of the international community.”

Although there have been calls for Asean to suspend Burma’s membership, Suu Kyi’s position is to work with the regional organization. This is a direct message to Asean leaders and Burma’s two giant neighbors, China and India, who still remain non-committal on the Burma issue, adopting a wait-and-see attitude.

She made no mention of Western nations or the US, ignoring regime charges that she is a “puppet of the West.”

Her message is short but meaningful and conciliatory, sending a signal to several key players inside and outside the country.

Internationally, Suu Kyi wants the UN to play a key role in the Burma crisis and to continue to facilitate dialogue, but she also acknowledges the important role of Asean and the governments of the region.

Domestically, she stressed that she would cooperate with the government in order to make the process of dialogue a success and to “give constant and serious considerations to the interests and opinions of as broad a range of political organizations and forces as possible, in particular those of our ethnic nationality races.”

Now it remains to be seen how Asean, China and India will respond to her message. Inside the country, all key players including leading Buddhist monks, the ‘88 Generation Students group and ethnic leaders will also need to respond to what she has to say.

And finally, the generals have a duty to get back to her soon.