Myanmar's Suu Kyi vows to amend junta-era constitution
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FILE - In this April 5, 2016 file photo, leader of National League for Democracy party (NLD) and Myanmar's new Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi smiles during a press conference after meeting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Naypyitaw, Myanmar. Suu Kyi vowed Monday, April 18, 2016 to push for constitutional amendments to build a true democracy in the Southeast Asian country as it emerges from decades of military control. (AP Photo/Aung Shine Oo, File) (The Associated Press)
Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi has vowed to push for constitutional amendments to build a true democracy in the Southeast Asian country as it emerges from decades of military control.
Suu Kyi made the comments in a nationally televised address to mark the start of the Buddhist new year.
The 70-year-old Nobel laureate called for a constitution "that will give birth to a genuine democratic union." She added, "We need constitutional amendments."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Suu Kyi's power to change the constitution remains hamstrung by the military, which still retains considerable power in government and parliament.
Suu Kyi's party won a landslide victory in November elections, ushering in the country's first civilian government after 54 years of direct and indirect military rule.