Myanmar parliament throws doubt on Suu Kyi's presidential chances
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Yangon - Myanmar's constitution cannot bechanged until after next year's general election, the speaker ofparliament said, casting doubt on the chances of Nobel laureateAung San Suu Kyi becoming president and the military's politicalpower being weakened
Lower house chairman Shwe Mann reaffirmed his intent to runfor president himself and said amendments to the constitution,which bars Suu Kyi and gives the military a legislative veto,could only be changed after a new parliament convenes after thepoll late next year.
Shwe Mann's comments are likely to cause a stir amidsimmering political tensions between political leaders ahead ofthe vote that will decide who will run Myanmar until 2020.
"We can't afford in the present political and administrativescenario to make any mistakes in amending the constitution rightnow," he told reporters in the capital Naypyitaw, comments thatwere broadcast on Radio Free Asia on Wednesday.
After several years of astonishing change in the wake of thecountry's shift from military rule to a semi-civilian system,critics say Myanmar's reforms have stalled and the military isreasserting itself amid challenges to a political stake itguaranteed itself when it drafted the 2008 constitution.
Shwe Mann, who was third in command of the junta before itceded power in 2011, is an influential figure who has sought toappear magnanimous in supporting Suu Kyi running for president,but says that decision rests with elected lawmakers.
Shwe Mann's comments are likely to cause a stir amidsimmering political tensions between political leaders ahead ofthe vote that will decide who will run Myanmar until 2020.
"We can't afford in the present political and administrativescenario to make any mistakes in amending the constitution rightnow," he told reporters in the capital Naypyitaw, comments thatwere broadcast on Radio Free Asia on Wednesday.
After several years of astonishing change in the wake of thecountry's shift from military rule to a semi-civilian system,critics say Myanmar's reforms have stalled and the military isreasserting itself amid challenges to a political stake itguaranteed itself when it drafted the 2008 constitution.
Shwe Mann, who was third in command of the junta before itceded power in 2011, is an influential figure who has sought toappear magnanimous in supporting Suu Kyi running for president,but says that decision rests with elected lawmakers.
He said a referendum on amending the constitution could beheld in May, but any changes agreed by the public would beintroduced after a new parliament was elected. That means thelegislature would retain a 25 percent quota for the militarythat ruled Myanmar with an iron fist for 49 years.
Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy Party (NLD) saidShwe Mann had no right to say when the constitution would bechanged.
"Shwe Mann doesn't have the power to make this decision.It's up to lawmakers and parliament to make it," spokesman NyanWin said. "It's a pity he didn't offer any reason ... if he did,we would be able to talk about it."
The NLD compiled a petition with nearly five millionsignatures in July calling for changes in a clause that wouldessentially weaken the military's legislative powers and allowamendments to be made easier.
Among the controversial clauses is one baring Suu Kyi fromthe presidency because her children hold British citizenship,which U.S. President Barack Obama last week said "doesn't makemuch sense".
Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy Party (NLD) saidShwe Mann had no right to say when the constitution would bechanged.
"Shwe Mann doesn't have the power to make this decision.It's up to lawmakers and parliament to make it," spokesman NyanWin said. "It's a pity he didn't offer any reason ... if he did,we would be able to talk about it."
The NLD compiled a petition with nearly five millionsignatures in July calling for changes in a clause that wouldessentially weaken the military's legislative powers and allowamendments to be made easier.
Among the controversial clauses is one baring Suu Kyi fromthe presidency because her children hold British citizenship,which U.S. President Barack Obama last week said "doesn't makemuch sense".
