Suu Kyi's meeting with former dictator beneficial: Speaker

He is both influential in government and army although he has no formal authority, said Union Parliament Speaker Thura Shwe Mann on Sat.

 

But Ye Htut, information Minister, played down the significance saying that the meeting would have no effect on the democratic transition plans.

 

Shwe Mann said: “He (Than Shwe) is the main person on the drafting of the 2008 Constitution. In other ways, he has transformed Myanmar into a multi-party democracy. 

 

Although he has no authority now, he still has influence over the government and power. Sometimes influence is more effective than power. "Whatever he said, we can assume that it will have an impact. It cannot be possible that what he his saying is not important. He can have power through authority and control. Influence and power are not the same thing. We can work without power if we have influence."

 

Shwe Mann said although his Union Solidarity and Development Party lost the election, he would help the next government if he could. The Speaker said he would work for the benefit of the country and its people despite disappointment about his party's defeat. 

 

He said: “I promised the media that I would help to improve my country whoever is the government. We should not have the kind of mindset that refuses to assist the election winner even if it is not our party.”