WASHINGTON (AP) — Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi (ahng sahn soo chee) is cautiously backing a U.S. senator’s proposal to suspend U.S. economic sanctions.

Suu Kyi said Tuesday that suspending, rather than eliminating, sanctions would send a strong message that the U.S. supports the country’s move toward democracy but would consider other steps if the Burmese people’s aspirations aren’t met.

Her comments, made during a video link-up organized by the George W. Bush Institute in Washington, followed Sen. John McCain’s proposal Monday that the U.S. suspend all economic sanctions other than an arms embargo.

Suu Kyi said a principal aim of her party, recently elected to parliament, was to reform the constitution that currently guarantees the military a quarter of the seats.