Six-party meeting approved

"The main reason for all of us is to meet, negotiate and seek a solution. We must have the same mind and opinion. Our leaders need to try to reach a compromise. Most of the people are tired of struggling to support families. The fortune of the country will have to be decided together with the citizens," said Upper House MP Myint Tun of the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party.

In his petition submitted on November 25, he said negotiations are necessary to create favourable conditions for a better future of Myanmar given the current political context.

Joining the meeting would be President Thein Sein, Union parliament speaker Thura Shwe Mann, the Upper House Speaker Khin Aung Myint, National League for Democracy (NLD) chairperson Aung San Suu Kyi, the MPs representing all ethnic groups and the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Aung Hlaing.

Suu Kyi told reporters on the day that she was happy with the decision.

A date has not been set for the talks.

"The most important thing for the country is to make constitutional amendment. In addition to the Union parliament representatives, the six leaders of the country should hold a meeting to seek a solution. The six leaders I proposed should meet from time to time regarding non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national consolidation and perpetuation of sovereignty," MP Myint Tun said.

There has been increasing pressure for charter amendments, particularly Section 436 which bars any reform of the charter without full military approval. The section stipulates that any move to change the military-drafted constitution must be approved by at least 75 per cent of MPs. At present, 25 per cent of the seats are controlled by the military. Without a change to the section, Section 59 (F) which bars any national with foreign spouses or children from presidential race could not be amended.

NLD earlier collected some five million signatures to support the amendments, only to see strong opposition from the Armed Forces.

Union Parliament Speaker Thura Shwe Mann said later that the parliament would proceed with proposed amendments, but he admitted that the changes would not be completed before the 2015 general election.

During his visit to Myanmar earlier this month, US President Barack Obama also urged Myanmar to review its constitution.

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Suu Kyi demands four-party talks to solve problems

Myanmar Eleven

Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi said she is demanding four-party talks in view of a peaceful and stable Myanmar after 2015.

Suu Kyi, chairperson of the National League for Democracy (NLD), was answering a question of what message she would like to convey to President Thein Sein, Parliament speaker Thura Shwe Mann and Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing during an exclusive interview with the Voice of America on Sunday.

"Real talks mean seeking to solve problems. As I have said earlier, I demand these four-party talks with a view to seeing how our country will move forward in peace, stability and unity in post-2015," said the opposition leader.

She also said her demand for four-party talks was aimed at ensuring more effectiveness, adding that such a dialogue is necessary in strengthening national reconciliation as the people including political factions are concerned about situations after 2015.

She also gave her views on other issues such as amendment to Section 436 of the constitution and racial, religious and internal peace issues.

Asked about the military's unwillingness to amend Section 436, Suu Kyi told VOA: "We never expected it to be easy but believed it to be possible. The question is when. If we can change the constitution earlier, it is better for the country. We need the courage and ability to change whatever needs to be changed for the betterment of the country."

She also said her party is ready for a national referendum to seek public opinions as to whether they want to have Section 436 amended or not.

"Then why don't you call for a nationwide referendum? We are more than ready for that. In that way, you can find out others' opinions as well," she told VOA which earlier quoted the commander-in-chief of Defence Services as saying that the remaining people's wishes need to be sought although NLD has submitted over five million signatures to parliament in support of constitutional amendment.

When it comes to religious and racial conflicts, Suu Kyi said: "Our perspective is to find a solution. If the problem could not be solved, we must seek a certain solution. Based on a certain name, disagreements and conflicts should not happen in our country. Anyhow in any matter, we must discuss, coordinate and negotiate with each other. The leading force must be the government. The issue is in the hands of the government. Through discussion and coordination, a solution must be sought. It is the duty of the government."

She said she never encouraged any extremism, racial, religious or political.

Ceasefire is vital for internal peace, she said when asked about ceasefire delays, adding that she was ready to participate (in the peace process) if invited by both sides.

"Finally, trust is fundamental. No more worries if mutual trust could be built. But without trust, we will still see ups and downs. This does not happen in our country alone. In some other countries also, peace process disrupts after signing a ceasefire deal," commented the opposition leader.

She also stressed that the legislative sector is at the forefront of the three sectors -- executive, judicial and legislative. Despite the right to speak and discuss freely in parliament, process implementation does not work as much as expected, she added.

In the matter of ensuring the rule of law, the authorities are weak in cooperation, Suu Kyi pointed out.

When asked about her stance over the controversial issues of the Myitsone dam project and Letpadaungtaung copper mine project, Suu Kyi said:

"We will address these issues based on a sense of responsibility and accountability. We will seek a solution that we think is the best for our country. Many may not agreed to that because everyone cannot be the same in their opinions. But we have to choose the right way if we have goodwill. In doing so, we cannot guarantee that we are always right. To err is human. I expect we can seek a solution after analysis."

Suu Kyi also commented that the opposition should not work by upholding a strong sense of objection to the government.

"The duty of the opposition is not much different from that of the government. It must work also for the good of the country," she said.

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Bail request for Koh Tao suspects

Myanmar Eleven

The Upper House speaker Khin Aung Myint called for bail for two Myanmar suspects arrested for the murder in Thailand's resort island of Koh Tao when he met with Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on November 24, according to Myanmar Radio and Television.

He said that all Myanmar nationals are interested in and watching the murder case. If the case is not filed at the court, the suspects should be released on bail. The Myanmar embassy will guarantee that the two men won't run away if they were released while on bail.

The Thai PM promised to do the best but asked for some time.

Khin Aung Myint commented that if the Koh Tao case is solved truthfully, it will certainly improve the relationships between the two countries.

According to Niran Phithakwatchara, a member of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), police is asked to explain the case on December 1, December 4 or December 8. Police did not show up as asked by the commission. Niran on the day said that there could be misunderstanding.

Police said the two suspects confessed to the murder of two Britons on Koh Tao, but both recanted the confession later, saying that they were assaulted. Police is yet to explain the case.

Niran also said that without the explanation, he may propose that the commission lodge a complaint and take legal action against concerned police officers in accordance with the NHRC Act's Article 34.

The NHRC subcommittee on civil and political rights chaired by Niran had summoned the investigators five times for an explanation on the allegation, he said. The subcommittee had also submitted its interrogation guidelines to affirm that the inquiry was not related to who killed the two British tourists, but was to do with the concerned police team's working methods and if they resorted to beating the suspects as alleged, he said.

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