Burma's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has expressed hope of seeing signs of democratic change in her country in the near future.

Speaking from Burma via satellite link to the former U.S. President Bill Clinton's philanthropic summit in New York, the Nobel laureate said Burma is at a difficult stage. But she said after speaking with members of the new nominally civilian government she is cautiously optimistic.

Aung San Suu Kyi was released in November after Burma's former military government held her detained for 15 years. She said people around the world have the same aspirations to be protected and have the freedom to search for their own happiness, rather than have other people's ideas of happiness imposed on them.

Another well-known rights activist and Nobel laureate, South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu, attended Mr. Clinton's international forum in New York and participated in a satellite discussion with his Burmese counterpart. Both of them praised the work of many unknown people who had helped them keep up their fight for human rights.