A new political talk on horizon

 

Yet, there is no consensus on the number of parties to be involved.

Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has so far failed to win the approval for her proposed four-party talk, with the president, the Army chief and parliament speaker. 

The Union government has so far rejected her demand.

Late November, the Union Parliament approved the proposed six-party talk which will also include the Upper House Speaker and a representative from the ethnic groups. The government has not yet said that it would join the talk, though. 

On December 9, the Yangon Region Parliament has approved a proposal calling for a 12-party political talk. The proposal by Saw Tun Aung Myint, the Minister for Kayin Ethnic Affairs for Yangon Region, includes the phrase 'instead of a six-party talk.' In his proposal, the region minister said a six-party talk is not suitable. He suggested the inclusion of seven ethnic groups.

The proposal was passed with 99 "Yes" votes and nine "No" votes. A total of 14 MPs — 11 who seconded the proposal and three who opposed it — held a discussion on the urgent motion.

It remains unclear whether the government would welcome this proposal. Some including Yangon MP Dr Nyo Nyo Thin believe that the government prefers talk with more parties because such talk would have a lower chance of successfully changing the current balance of power. 

They suspect that either the Union government or politicians with close ties to the Union government designed the proposal for 12-party talk.

However, despite the suspicion, some members of the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) have come out against a 12-party talk.

"The six-party talk is enough. Rakhine national Dr Aye Maung was selected by ethnic representatives to discuss the needs and interests of the national races. We all know that the needs of all national races are the same. Ethnic groups want self-determination, live in the Union and enjoy equal rights. And they also want to manage regional development projects and the allocation of resources and finances. These are their basic needs. I believe that peace will be restored to the country and all ethnic groups would join hands if such basic needs are fulfilled. In this matter, Dr Aye Maung should not be seen as a Rakhine national. He should be regarded as a person who will discuss the basic needs for the sake of all ethnic groups," said MP Dr Win Ko Hla, who represents Pabedan Township for the USDP.

"National races representatives were already included in the decision to hold the six-party talk approved by the Union parliament. I assume that this is a right decision," said MP Min Thein of Seikgyikhanaungto Township, another USDP member.

The Yangon Region Parliament acknowledged that its proposal is non-binding. 

"We must follow the Union parliament's decision. This new resolution carries no weight according to the law. Therefore, we should start with six-party talk,” said Colonel Tin Win, the security and border affairs minister for Yangon Region.

Dr Nyo Nyo Thin agreed.

“The six-party talk should come first. And then we can hold the 12-party, 15-party talk and other multi-party talks later," she said.