Myanmar opposition objects to parliamentary oath
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Yangon - Members of Myanmar's opposition have objected totaking an oath of allegiance to the country's constitution as part oftheir induction into parliament, planned later this month, partyofficials said Thursday.
Their leader, democracy campaigner Aung San Suu Kyi, and 42members of her National League for Democracy (NLD) party werescheduled to be sworn in April 23 as members of parliament afterwinning seats in April 1 by-elections.
But their inductions were now in question, NLD spokesman Nyan Winsaid.
One of Suu Kyi's campaign promises was to seek amendments to the2010 constitution, especially an article that allows the military toappoint 25 per cent of the members in Myanmar's three houses ofparliament - lower, upper and regional.
"The candidates find it impossible to take an oath to safeguardthe constitution," Nyan Win said after a meeting between Suu Kyi andthe other successful NLD candidates.
"We cannot attend parliament if they will not amend the oath,"said Zeyar Thaw, one of the lawmakers-elect.
Suu Kyi, 66, raised her objection to the oath at a private meetingwith President Thein Sein Wednesday, NLD officials said.//DPA
