NLD dismisses 'unbelievable' Reuters report that it might support Thura Shwe Mann presidency

 “I don’t believe it,” Suu Kyi told Eleven Media this morning, referring to the report. She said she found the statements and the controversial way they were strung together unbelievable.

NLD and other political groups are trying to amend the Constitution before the 2015 vote. A section bars her from running for the presidency.

Named in the report were two members of the NLD’s central executive committee – NLD executive committee members Han Tha Myint and Nyan Win. Neither is directly quoted as saying the party might support Thura Shwe Mann – a former general – in the next election, but Reuters suggested so.

Suu Kyi noted that selecting the NLD’s candidate for the presidency was not the committee’s decision, and that she doubted the officials’ quotes were interpreted correctly.

“Just go ask them,” she told Eleven Media. 

Han Tha Myint told Eleven Media that he never even mentioned Thura Shwe Mann’s name during the interview with Reuters. “I did not say the name Thura Shwe Mann ... They asked who will be the presidential candidate for the NLD if Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is still blocked by Section 59 (F). There is no second person beside her in the NLD. Then, they asked who the NLD will nominate. I said the candidate for president does not need to be an MP; he or she might be from any political party. He doesn’t need to be from the NLD,” Han Tha Myint told Eleven Media.

Nyan Win accused Reuters of misrepresenting his views when it indirectly quoted him as say that Thura Shwe Mann might be the most viable candidate for the NL to support. The statement is not a direct quote in the Reuters article, which is headlined: “With Suu Kyi blocked, her Myanmar party eyes ex-general for president”.

He added that the party will hold a press conference soon to rebut the report.

Reuters noted that Shwe Mann and Suu Kyi have cooperated in parliament and seem to have established good relations. The former general is seen as more pragmatic than some of his senior party colleagues and even hinted he might support amending the constitution to allow Suu Kyi to be a candidate for president.

It quotes Nyan Win as saying "She's the most popular person in the party. She favours him." 

Han Tha Myint is also quoted as saying that instead of putting its own candidate up for president, the NLD would support a non-NLD candidate who shared the party's views.

"He doesn't have to be NLD, but he must think like us," Han Tha Myint said. "The important thing is that there is someone we can accept as president. For us, that's enough."