NLD's push for 'crisis' summit gains steam
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The push for a four-party summit to address the critical problems Myanmar is facing in its transition to democracy is accelerating following a meeting between Opposition Leader Aung San Suu Kyi and the leaders of ethnic minority political parties earlier
The summit would bring together President Thein Sein, Parliament Speaker Thura Shwe Mann, Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and Suu Kyi to address what the opposition National League for Democracy party refers to as the “political crisis” facing Myanmar, among other issues.
“The country is facing a political crisis,” NLD executive committee member Tun Tun Hein said, adding that the Union government could not solve this alone. “The government and the people need to cooperate. Only when all important groups, the Parliament and Tatmadaw [military] participate, can the country develop rapidly,” he added.
Tun Tun Hein said the people would welcome the four-way summit and that it would allow the country’s problems to be more speedily addressed.
The NLD first raised the idea of such a summit last November. The leaders of ethnic political parties gave their support to it following a meeting with Suu Kyi earlier this month. On July 7 they released a joint statement with the NLD calling for the summit.
Such a summit would be advantageous for the democratic reform process, the statement said.
It said Myanmar is pushing for widespread reforms – in politics, economics, social welfare, health and education – while facing calls to amend the 2008 Constitution and electoral system. The country is also working to achieve internal peace. At the same time it is facing a plague of land disputes and other social ills, including religious and racial conflicts.
“The commander-in-chief should be involved in the country’s reform process, the amending of the 2008 Constitution and discussions about the country’s future,” said Aye Tha Aung, leader of the Rakhine National Party.
He also called for Senior General Min Aung Hlaing to make his views on these issues known to the public.
Aye Tha Aung agreed with the NLD that it was import for those who wield power to come together to discuss the issues facing the country.
The NLD first proposed the summit on November 23 during its central executive committee meeting. Suu Kyi subsequently sent a letter to President Thein Sein requesting the meeting. He declined, saying it should only be considered after Parliament’s Constitutional Review Committee releases its report.
