|
 The parallel events summed up the complex nature of the political
transition: a much-publicized election of parliament speakers at
which former foes from Suu Kyi's party and the military shook hands,
while behind closed doors the country's top power brokers met to
hammer out how they will run Myanmar.
After a quiet period following Suu Kyi's massive election win in
November, negotiations have entered a critical stage since a meeting
between army chief Min Aung Hlaing and Suu Kyi on Jan. 26, lawmakers
and diplomats close to the process say.
With its huge mandate Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD)
can chose the next president but, under the constitution written by
the army before it ceded power in 2011, she herself cannot take the
job. The NLD wants that changed.
"Our first priority includes amending laws which are out of date and
not in harmony with the present situation," Tun Tun Hein, a member
of the NLD's governing council, told reporters after being appointed
chairman of the key lower house bill committee. "The constitution
also needs amending since it's one of the laws."
 The army has so far insisted it wants no change to the constitution
and would not countenance Suu Kyi's presidency. She has struck a
defiant note, saying she would lead the country "standing above the
president".
Now, some Yangon-based diplomats say Min Aung Hlaing might be
tempted to compromise in return for a pledge from Suu Kyi that she
would not infringe on the military's vast economic interests nor
seek revenge for abuses under years of junta rule.
As well as burnishing his legacy, such a move would also put
responsibility for fixing an impoverished country riven by decades
of ethnic conflict squarely on Suu Kyi, they say.
"If you keep her without any official title she is free to
strategise without the day-to-day burden of running the country,"
said a Western diplomat, who did not want to be named because of the
sensitivity of the matter.
The New York Times on Friday cited two senior members of the NLD as
saying that talks with the military have included a possible deal
that would allow Suu Kyi to be president in exchange for senior
government posts. It did not name the party leaders and said details
of the negotiations were murky.
BLURRED RED LINES
It is not known what was discussed at this week's meeting at army
headquarters, which sits close to the sprawling parliament complex
in Myanmar's remote capital Naypyitaw.
Confirming the gathering coincided with the opening week of the
newly elected legislature, two sources familiar with the matter said
senior commanders from across the country gather a few times a year
to discuss military matters.
But politics was likely high on the agenda - the military retains a
central role in the former Burma, with a quarter of seats in
parliament reserved for it, along with control of the security
forces and the civil service.
[to top of second column] |
Moreover, with its block of seats in parliament the military wields
a veto over any changes to the constitution, which requires a
super-majority of more than 75 percent.
Asked about the chances that the constitution could be amended to
allow Suu Kyi to be president, Major General Tauk Tun, the most
senior military lawmaker in the lower house, did not entirely rule
it out, while at the same time sticking to the military's line on
the sanctity of the 2008 charter.
"We'll do it according to the constitutional provisions," he said.
Even if the two sides were to agree to change the constitution, it
would still require a nationwide referendum.
To circumvent that lengthy process, article 59 (f), which bars
anyone with a foreign spouse or children from the presidency and so
disqualifies Suu Kyi, whose sons are British citizens, could be
suspended, according to Aung Ko, a former general and Suu Kyi ally,
and NLD legal experts.
Whether that would be lawful remains open to debate, and even some
Suu Kyi supporters worry about the precedent it could set.
"Personally I do want Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to become the president,
but I honestly don't think the constitution should be suspended
since this is not a good tradition to hand down to future
parliaments," said lawmaker Ba Shin of the Arakan National Party, a
large ethnic party from Rakhine State.
The NLD has until the end of March to organize the presidential vote
in the parliament, but top leaders said they may carry it out next
week or toward the end of February, suggesting the two sides could
be close to striking a deal.
"They are trying to find a solution that doesn't step on everyone's
red lines," said Kelly Currie, senior fellow at the Washington-based
Asia-focused think tank Project 2049 Institute.
"Most likely a more straightforward situation is better. Better than
Suu Kyi governing but not having a position."
(Additional reporting by Hnin Yadana Zaw and Aung Hla Tun; Editing
by Alex Richardson)
[© 2016 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2016 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |
