Chin political leaders hope that the process of national reconciliation has begun to resolve Burma’s conflict situation at the meeting with Burma’s pro-democracy icon Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the military government’s new President Mr. Thein Sein.
“I hope that a good result will come of the meeting. The new government seems to be flexible in its attitude compared to the earlier government and intends to go for national reconciliation in Burma,” said Mr. Sui Khar, Joint General Secretary of Chin National Front (CNF).
The CNF has been fighting Burmese dictatorship for democracy, a federal system and self-determination of the Chin people since 1988 from western parts of Burma.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Secretary of the National league for Democracy (NLD) met Mr. Thein Sein for almost one hour when she was attending the national level workshop on economic development in Naypyidaw, the new military capital of Burma on 19 August after she was invited to attend the workshop.
This meeting is the first time of its kind between Suu Kyi and Thein Sein, the new President of Burma in the new government after the general election in 2010.
Salai Ceu Bik Thawng, Secretary of the Chin National Party (CNP) and a contestant in the 2010 Burmese general elections from CNP said that a tripartite dialogue should be a step forward and improve relations between Suu Kyi and Thein Sein.
“Our country’s situation has not been resolved by bipartite dialogue; there should be an atmosphere for tripartite dialogue comprising the military government, the NLD and other ethnic nationalities. We should consider ethnic issues,” said Mr. Thawng.
Besides, Mr. Cin Sian Thang, the President of the Zomi National Congress also hoped of progress at the Suu Kyi and Thein Sein meeting. The government has been urged to release political prisoners in the country as soon as possible to take forward national reconciliation in Burma.
“The new government should announce amnesty for all political prisoners from various jails to take forward national reconciliation in Burma.” said Cin Sian Thang.
The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) has reported that over 2000 political prisoners were languishing in various prisons in Burma.