The ruling NLD has sent an open letter to 48 ethnic parties to hold talks on the union affairs and chosen three officials including Dr. Aung Moe Nyo to hold talks with ethnic parties. The following is an interview with U Tha Tun Hla, Chair of the Arakan National Party (ANP) one of the biggest ethnic parties about the NLD’s invitation.

Q: What is the ANP’s position towards the NLD’s plan to cooperate with ethnic parties?

A: On November 12th, the ANP received an official letter from the NLD titled “the union affairs for future Myanmar.” The ANP sent a reply to the NLD. After that no official invitation has been received for discussion. I have heard the news from the media that the ruling NLD assigns duties to three persons including Dr. Aung Moe Nyo to hold talks with ethnic parties.

Q: Which matters will the ANP discuss with the NLD if the talk materializes?

A: The ANP has not received an official invitation to talks.

Q: What will be the ANP’s demands, if the ANP holds talks with the NLD?

A: I think it depends on the discussions and how much authority will be given to the NLD representatives included in the talks. As far as I know the NLD will just listen to and record the attitudes and aspirations of the ethnic parties. According to the news on the media the NLD will also meet ethnic parties separately. I have heard that the NLD will not come to Arakan State due to security concerns. The ANP is still reviewing the facts on the news media.

Q: Does the ANP have a plan to ask for the chief minister post of Arakan State?

A: I think it depends on three officials chosen by the NLD

Q: May I know the ANP’s stand if the NLD offers to appoint the ANP’s candidate as the chief minister? Has the ANP chosen the person for the chief minister post?

A: It is important that the chief minister is chosen by the majority of MPs in the Arakan State parliament. The appointment of the chief minister by a single person is not fully democratic.

 According to the 2008 Constitution, the chief minister shall be nominated by the President. It is important to change this situation. The chief minister can only be held accountable and responsible, when he or she is chosen by the majority of MPs in Arakan State parliament.

Q: Will the ANP stand as an opposition party as in 2015 if the party does not get the post of the Chief Minister?

A: It depends on the parliamentary situation. There will be seven MPs from the ANP in Arakan State parliament, five from the NLD, two from the Arakan Front Part (AFP), one from the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) and the rest from the army.

Q: Will the ANP accept it if the NLD selects ministerial posts instead of the chief minister?

A: Currently our party is mainly looking at the election. As the formation of the new government is in March, we still have a lot more time. We are paying attention to holding the by-election... The ANP issued a statement welcoming the holding elections after the AA and the Tatmadaw issued the statements about the by-elections.

Q: In 2015 the ANP did not accept the allotment of ministerial posts. The ANP took action against the party members who accepted it. How will the ANP tackle it if the similar situation happens again?

A: I don’t want to answer this question as this is a matter of the party’s internal affairs.

Q: If the ANP did not secure the Chief Minister post, would the current armed conflicts including development situation in Arakan State become worse?

A: It is important that the Arakan State government can represent the majority of Arakan people. This is the main point. It will become a government with dignity only when the government can represent the majority of Arakan people. I think it is difficult to deal with the current conflicts and issues, if the government cannot represent the majority of Arakan people.

Q: Would you like something to add?

A: I would like to welcome the NLD’s attempt to discuss with ethnic parties after the formation of a three-member committee. The ruling NLD has no engagement with ethnic parties after the 2015 General Elections. The ANP welcomes the NLD’s attempt to build the future federal union in cooperation with ethnic parties.