First Lady Calls for Democracy in Myanmar

In a Wall Street Journal editorial, First Lady Laura Bush calls on the military regime in Myanmar to step aside and allow open elections.

Gen. Than Shwe and his deputies are a friendless regime," she writes, in a piece headlined "Stop the Terror in Burma." The first lady continues, "They should step aside to make way for a unified Burma governed by legitimate leaders. The rest of the armed forces should not fear this transition--there is room for a professional military in a democratic Burma. In fact, one of Burma's military heroes was also a beloved champion of Burmese freedom: General Aung San, the late father of Aung San Suu Kyi."

Plus: Five things to know about Myanmar's leader, Senior General Than Shwe.