Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi says she is cautiously backing a proposal to lift U.S. economic sanctions on Burma.

Aung San Suu Kyi says she supports efforts by U.S. Senator John McCain to suspend, rather than eliminate, sanctions. She says it would send a strong message that the United States supports the country's move toward democracy, but if not maintained they will consider other steps to help the Burmese people achieve their goals.

Aung San Suu Kyi made her comments Tuesday during a live video link organized by the George W. Bush Presidential Institute in Washington.

She says the Burmese government must recognize the aspirations of all the ethnic nationalities, saying that a cease fire is only the beginning and not a substitute for political settlement.

Aung San Suu Kyi also said she does not see her party pressing for any immediate amendments to the constitution since 25 members of the National Assembly are unelected members of the military.