Publication Date : 30-11-2014
Myanmar MPs and political parties say that the government needs to organise the six-party talks on constitutional amendment approved by the Union Parliament after an urgent proposal from the ruling party, stressing the need for the executive to fulfil the public's wishes.
The proposal that was submitted by Upper House MP Myint Tun of the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) on Nov 25 and approved, as there was no objection.
"The emergence of a constitution appropriate to the current age and political system depends on the time and circumstances. To be able to create favourable conditions for a better Myanmar … I have urged the Union Parliament to hold a six-party meeting between the president, Union Parliament Speaker, Upper House Speaker, chairperson of the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD), an MP representing all ethnic groups and the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services," said Myint Tun.
President Thein Sein's spokesperson, Ye Htut, however, told Radio Free Asia on Thursday that such a high-level meeting was impossible at the moment.
"I think it is not possible now because we have such different approaches," said Ye Htut.
"We consider the different groups. But Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and parliament want to emphasise individuals. Another point is that the choice of only one representative from all the ethnic parties and groups is not possible.
"As there are different ethnic groups, we need many ethnic representatives to give their different views. Such an ethnic representative should be chosen from all the ethnic parties, not from Parliament. So I think the six-party meeting is not practical."
Some parliamentarians and political parties responded to the presidential spokesperson's remark on Friday.
Aung San Suu Kyi said: "For the people I will say 'don't worry'. If there is a will, there is a way."
MP Myint Tun, who tabled the motion for six-party talks, said: "If the Union Parliament approves a proposal, the government must do what the proposal says. But I think the president will send a message to Parliament if his government has difficulties.
"Really, they have difficulties. What will they send to Parliament, as now is the important period? Then we have to discuss the issue again. We cannot say what U Ye Htut has said is wrong. Fourteen (for the talks) is a lot.
"But six are said to be not enough. We have to negotiate it. Under the constitution, what the Union Parliament has approved must be done. Now, one representative has been chosen. And perhaps, ethnic people will say why they are not included.
"In Myanmar, clashes between ethnic groups have often occurred. Some groups are still in the jungles. If the trend remains as it is, the people will still be in trouble.
"If a six-party meeting takes place, I think the people will be satisfied. It should happen this year. We have the whole of December. They should meet as quickly as possible. If they meet two or three times, something can be achieved. Otherwise, nothing can happen and then it is a heavy heart for our country."
Upper House MP Hla Swe said: "If the Union Parliament urges the government by approving a proposal, the government must do it. By its nature, Parliament has to make a proposal.
"The government is then responsible for the proposals approved by Parliament that it has not acted upon. There must be a sound reason. After review, a message can be sent. We have to wait and see. The president is the state leader. But he must have a firm reason if he does not want to implement the proposal made by Parliament. What U Ye Htut has explained is not enough."
For a six-party meeting, Upper House MP Dr Aye Maung was chosen by a secret vote to represent the ethnic parties.
"For legislation, the Union Parliament has the highest power in the whole union. Under the law, the Speaker of Parliament has the mandate.
"The Speaker wants to seek a solution to the matter of constitutional change. According to the constitution, the administrative sector must follow the decision of the Union Parliament. There must be give and take. They must show mutual respect. The president himself is elected by Parliament," said Aye Maung.
"The president should also take responsibility for the Parliament. If he understands this relationship, he must await the formal message from the Parliamentary Speaker (that tells) him how to enact the decisions of the Union Parliament."
Aye Maung continued: "The presidential spokesperson's remarks are putting the cart before the horse since the president himself has given no reply.
"This kind of remark may have negative consequences and cause unwise action. It is the duty of the executive to respect the resolution of Parliament. If the executive doesn't act that way, the ministries can submit a vote of no confidence.
"They have to check whether the message from the Speaker is reasonable and meant to benefit the people or not and whether this gathering is within the Speaker's power. Thus, U Ye Htut's words are untimely. He should have waited for the president."
Dr Tu Jar, the chairperson of Kachin State Democracy Party, said: "A meeting sounds good, either individually or between groups. The important thing is to meet. Nelson Mandela and the President De Klerk of South Africa met individually.
"This is the better way to build mutual trust. And the next, the meeting takes place between (political) parties. We're urging for the talks to be more compact. But the thing is that any meeting should be out of goodwill. Talks ought to centre on the people and attempt to meet their aspirations. Therefore I want the government to accept the ideas the Parliament submits and vice versa. The government said during the last meeting that it had opened its doors."
Mann Aung Pyi Soe, the deputy chairperson of Plone-Sawow Democratic Party, said: "This six-party meeting is expected to give some answers. As an ethnic national, six parties are not sufficient to reflect the will of all ethnic nationals. It would be uneven."
When the Parliament tabled the charter change, the military representatives moved to keep the 2008 Constitution unchanged.
Parliamentarians from the NLD and ethnic national parties voted to amend Section 436, which prescribes that an amendment of the constitution needs the approval of more than 75 per cent of MPs.
Moreover, USDP MP San Pyae said that the military was central to constitutional reforms and its representatives should be more flexible to put the public at ease.
Nanda Kyaw Swar, chairman of Myanmar's Constitutional Amendment Committee, tabled a motion on November 25 calling for a bill to amend the constitution during the 12th session.
Dr Aye Maung of the Upper House said: "I believe all the parliamentarians hope for the success of this proposal. So, if the government is confident in itself that it is democratic, it should accept the proposal of the Parliament respectfully for the sake of the people and the peace.
The government also has to reform the constitution where it's needed. It ought to be loyal to its people. I intend to do my best in this six-party meeting for the country and all of my ethnic brethren."
http://www.information.myanmaronlinecentre.com/myanmar-mps-demand-for-six-party-talks/
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