Suu Kyi Finally Takes Seat in Burma's Parliament

In what pro-democracy groups hope is the dawning of a new era in Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi took the oath of office and took her place in the country's parliament for the first time today. Suu Kyi, whose National League for Democracy swept by-elections in April, joined dozens of other lawmakers from her party in taking the oath, CNN reports. The NLD members backed down from a demand to change the swearing-in oath to remove a promise to protect a constitution they consider undemocratic.

"We've always believed in being flexible throughout the years of our struggle because that is the only way in which we can achieve our goal without violence," Suu Kyi, who spent most of the last 20 years under house arrest, said after agreeing to stick to the original wording. "I don't think flexibility will be a new concept for us." As she entered the parliament building today, a Reuters reporter asked her if she considered this to be a historic day for Burma. "I think only time will tell," she replied. (More Aung San Suu Kyi stories.)