NPR 2010-11-14

Freedom today for pro-democracy activist¹ Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar, the former Burma. Seven and a half years ago, Suu Kyi was sentenced to house arrest. Today, at the age of 65, her sentence, which had been extended three times, expired. Back in 1995, emerging from an initial period of arrest, she told a BBC interviewer: "This is not yet the end. There's a long way to go and the way might be very very hard. So, please standby, don't think this is the end, don't think that we're there home and dry. We've got a long way to go yet." Now with her freedom, thousands are rallying for her. NPR’s Scott Horsley reports, however, that President Obama says Myanmar still has a long way to go.
President Obama calls the democracy activist a personal hero and said the US welcomes her "long overdue²" release. While traveling in Asia this week, Mr. Obama has repeatedly called on Burma's military rulers to free Suu Kyi along with all other political prisoners. He complains the opposition³ Suu Kyi represents has been systematically⁴ denied a chance to challenge the Burmese government.
"Last week's election in Burma was neither free, nor fair. And we will continue our efforts to move Burma toward democatic reform and protection of human rights."Suu Kyi has spent 15 of the last 21 years in detention⁵. Mr. Obama calls her story an inspiration for human rights advocates around the world.
Scott Horsley, NPR News, traveling with the president.

1 activist   

n.活动分子，积极分子

参考例句：

• He's been a trade union activist for many years.多年来他一直是工会的积极分子。
• He is a social activist in our factory.他是我厂的社会活动积极分子。

2 overdue   

adj.过期的，到期未付的；早该有的，迟到的

参考例句：

• The plane is overdue and has been delayed by the bad weather.飞机晚点了，被坏天气耽搁了。
• The landlady is angry because the rent is overdue.女房东生气了，因为房租过期未付。

3 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

4 systematically   

adv.有系统地

参考例句：

• This government has systematically run down public services since it took office.这一屆政府自上台以来系统地削减了公共服务。
• The rainforest is being systematically destroyed.雨林正被系统地毀灭。

5 detention   

n.滞留，停留；拘留，扣留；(教育)留下

参考例句：

• He was kept in detention by the police.他被警察扣留了。
• He was in detention in connection with the bribery affair.他因与贿赂事件有牵连而被拘留了。