Suu Kyi's call for four-party talks finally accepted

 

The talks will focus on the peace and reform processes.

“The meeting is mainly with political parties. Other stakeholders will attend the four-party talks,” an official from the President’s Office confirmed.

Both vice-presidents – Sai Mauk Kham and Nyan Tun – Upper House Speaker Khin Aung Myint, Shan National League for Democracy chairman Khun Tun Oo, who represents the United Nationalities Alliance, Shan Nationalities Democratic Party chairman Sai Aik Paung, who represents the Nationalities Brotherhood Federation, National Democratic Force chairman Khin Maung Swe, who represents the Federal Democracy Alliance, will also attend the talks.

“We have already received the invitation letter,” said Sai Lake, a spokesperson from the Shan National League for Democracy.  Sai Lake said the party’s chairman would represent the party as well as the United Nationalities Alliance.

He said the invitation letter did not go into great detail, but said the talks would focus on smoothing the transition and strengthening the peace and reform processes.   

Khin Maung Swe said the meeting would focus on political affairs, the peace processes and the democratic transition. “Holding talks and seeking advice is a good sign,” he said, adding that the four-party talks had been a goal of political parties and the fact that they were going to be held was a significant development.

On July 7, the NLD and an alliance of ethnic political parties issued a joint statement calling for talks between President Thein Sein, Lower House speaker Thura Shwe Mann, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and Suu Kyi, saying these could greatly benefit the present and future of the country.

In November last year, Suu Kyi sent a letter to President Thein Sein calling for four-party talks to ensure the charter amendment process ran smoothly. Thein Sein replied that the four-party talks could be considered only after the Union Parliament Constitutional Review Joint Committee’s report was submitted.

The committee submitted its report to the Parliament on October 22, calling for 210 of 457 sections of the Constitution to be amended.  

Sweeping political, economic, social and educational reforms have taken place since the current government took office.

The country is in the midst of considering amending the Constitution, reforming the electoral system and negotiating a nationwide peace accord with armed ethnic groups. At the same time, disputes over farmland and communal violence have yet to be resolved.    

Some analysts have said that increased dialogue and cooperation by the many factions within Myanmar’s fragmented political and power system is critical to ensure the success of the country’s startling transition from military to civilian rule.