Rai Maroah – A Mon political leader from the All Mon Region Democracy Party (AMRDP) says if democracy icon Daw Aung San Suu Kyi remains silent and has no will to inform the public about her discussion with the labour minister of the new Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP)-led government in Burma (Myanmar), there can be no good results.
Nai Ngwe Thein, the chairperson of the AMDP, said, “The people have desires, and they want to know what the discussions are about. She should explain to the people, and then they can know. By this way, it can benefit the people. Without explanation, there will be no benefit.”
National League for Democracy (NLD) leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi met with Union Minister for Labour, Social Service, Relief and Resettlement U Aung Kyi on the afternoon of 25 July at Sein-le-kan-thar government guest-house in Rangoon.
U Aung Kyi issued a statement describing that the meeting included the first personal discussions with Daw Suu since the formation of USDP’s new government.
In the statement, he described the discussions as related to the ‘rule of law’, ‘reconciliation’, and ‘benefits to the people’. He also added that the government has plans to hold another meeting with the opposition leader. NLD spokesperson U Ohn Kyaing also confirmed that all discussions during the meeting were constructive.
“We can’t say there is no good result. In the past, we have met nine times. I expect there will be good results from these discussions,” U Ohn Kyaing told journalists during a press conference.
However, an elder Mon politician said, “Neither the government nor the NLD explained anything to the people. They didn’t say anything of substance. I mean, there is no result or agreement at all.”
He is also concerned that the recent meeting was intended merely to minimize international pressure towards new government.
But a Mon armed group, the New Mon State Party, has been optimistic about this political development, and expects at least minor changes.
A member of the NMSP Executive Committee said, “I expect some changes. But not significant ones.”
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Aung Kyi met nine times between 2007 and 2010. The meeting on 25 July was the first since the new government was formed.
In the previous military government, U Aung Kyi acted as ‘Minister for Relationships’ in order to communicate with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi also said that if the meetings could result in benefit to the people of Burma, she is willing to participate in more.
