Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi at the National League for Democracy’s (NLD) executive meeting yesterday spoke positively of the beginning of a co-operation process with the government.
The NLD’s spokesperson Ohn Kyaing told DVB that Suu Kyi sounded optimistic in the group’s Central Executive Committee meeting and that co-operation with the government had begun in the interests of the nation and the people;
“Her remarks sounded satisfied – she said she believed a co-operation process has begun in the interests of the country and the people,” said Ohn Kyaing.
However, he refused to reveal what was discussed in the meeting yesterday: “We can’t give you the full details yet,” he added.
On Friday last week, Suu Kyi had an historic meeting with Burma’s president Thein Sein in Naypyidaw and attended a government economic workshop. Yesterday, the NLD released a statement welcoming her meeting with the president and the workshop where union government ministers and economic experts met and discussed ways to improve the country’s economic structure and future.
Prior to her meeting with Thein Sein, Suu Kyi had met twice with government’s labour minister Aung Kyi where they agreed to cooperate for peace, tranquillity and development of the country.
Whilst veteran NLD member U Win Tin corroborated telling DVB that; “Our relationship [with the government] is now much better.”
Suu Kyi recently tested her freedom by making her first political trip out of her home town Rangoon, the last time she made such a trip she was attacked by thugs at Depayin. Assailants who were alleged to have been from the precursor to the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA). Around 70 NLD members were believed to have lost their lives on the 30 May 2003 and Suu Kyi was jailed as a result.
Questions still remain unanswered as to whether the NLD will be able to function in electoral politics after they were banned from participating after rejecting last year’s controversial election and not registering. However the warming of relations bodes well that the party and Suu Kyi herself may yet have a place in Burma’s parliament.