Clapton, McCartney Join for Benefit Album

LONDON (AP) _ Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, Sting and U2 are joining forces on a benefit album for Burmese democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi. <br/><br/>R.E.M., Avril Lavigne, Coldplay and Travis are

Thursday, September 23rd 2004, 11:12 am

By: News On 6

LONDON (AP) _ Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, Sting and U2 are joining forces on a benefit album for Burmese democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi.

R.E.M., Avril Lavigne, Coldplay and Travis are also contributing to a 27-track CD, ``For the Lady: Dedicated to Freeing Aung San Suu Kyi.''

Proceeds from the CD, to be released Oct. 26, will go to the U.S. Campaign for Burma, it was announced Tuesday.

Suu Kyi, the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize winner and leader of the National League for Democracy opposition party, has spent most of the past 14 years under house arrest.

The military junta in her country, also called Myanmar, has tolerated little dissent since taking power after crushing a 1988 pro-democracy demonstration. The junta refused to hand over power or convene parliament after Suu Kyi's party won 1990 elections.

``Aung San Suu Kyi is truly one of the world's most important, yet least known, heroes,'' said Chris Martin of Coldplay.

``No matter how much she suffers, she never backs down in her quest for freedom. That's why Coldplay are supporting this effort, and why everyone who believes in human rights should buy this CD.''

``Her dedication, resolve, courage and patience are the mark of a leader. We stand tall for her as she will again stand tall for herself,'' said Michael Stipe, lead singer of R.E.M.

The album will feature a U2 song, ``Walk On,'' which is dedicated to Suu Kyi and has been banned in Myanmar.