Ethnic political leaders in Burma on Thursday welcomed leaders of the National League for Democracy party’s consideration reforming party leadership.

NLD Chairman Aung Shwe, Secretary U Lwin, central executive committee member Lun Tin and detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Wednesday, during a rare meeting arranged by the government, discussed on reforming party leadership as many of the CEC are ageing and a few ailing.

“Aung Shwe, Lun Tin and U Lwin all agreed to Daw Suu’s suggestion of reforming party leadership, which is a good sign and we welcome it. The party needs younger generation as we do not know how long our struggle will continue,” Thakhin Chan Tun, a veteran politician in Rangoon, told Mizzima.

Aye Thar Aung, secretary of the Committee for Representing People’s Parliament’ (CRPP), a group formed with members of parliament elected in 1990 elections, said, “We welcome the meeting between the NLD CEC members. We know that the CEC will be expanded with new members. It is a good sign as a first step.”

Similarly, Cin Sian Thang, chairman of the Zomi National Congress (ZNC), said, “NLD is the biggest and strongest party in Burma. Many have said aging and inactive leaders should retire.  It is good to see Daw Suu paying her respects to the three elderly leaders and they agreeing to her proposal. I think it is not only for the party, it’s also good for our country.”

The Burmese Nobel Peace Laureate on Wednesday was granted her request to allow her to pay respect to three of the NLD’s aging leaders Seinlea Kan Thar state guest house. The NLD leaders met for about an hour, where detained party general secretary proposed of reforming party CEC. Reportedly, all the three aging leaders agreed to her proposal.

For the past nearly two decades, the 1990 election winning party the NLD is served by the 92 year-old chairman U Aung Shwe, 88 year-old CEC member U Lun Tin and 85 year-old secretary U Lwin.

“Those ageing leaders and in frail health should retire, as they cannot carry their duties effectively. Active and capable persons should be inducted in the leadership and the elderly leaders should advise the new leaders,” Thakin Chan Tun suggested.

“The leadership should be expanded by inducting capable and smart youths replacing frail and inactive aging leaders. This is routine in any party. We hope, in this way, the party will become dynamic and can work effectively for democracy and Burma,” Aye Thar Aung said.

The three party leaders Aung Shwe, U Lwin, and Lun Tin are currently joined in the CEC by General Secretary Aung San Suu Kyi, Vice-Chairman Tin Oo, who is also currently under house arrest, members Win Tin, Than Tun, Thakin Soe Myint, Hla Pe, Nyunt Wei and U Khin Maung Swe.

(Edited by Ye Yint Aung)