Myanmar - Suu Kyi can seek election, says Burmese president

Burmese President Thein Sein has said he would accept pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi's participation in upcoming by-elections for the nation's parliament.

Thein Sein made the comment during his first interview with both domestic and foreign media since he took office in March. The interview, which included The Yomiuri Shimbun, was held Saturday (November 19) in Nusa Dua, Indonesia, the site of recent summit meetings related to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

"First, she needs to run and be elected. Then she can enter parliament," Thein Sein said. "If parliament grants her something (like a Cabinet post), she can have it. It's up to the will of the people."

Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party said Friday it would register for future by-elections, and it was likely Suu Kyi would run.

About the recent announcement by US President Barack Obama that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would visit Burma in December, Thein Sein said he hoped relations with the United States would improve as a result of the visit, prompting Washington to lift its economic sanctions on Burma.

On Friday, Obama pointed to steps taken by Thein Sein's government to release some political prisoners and begin a dialogue with Suu Kyi. These measures were "the most important steps toward reform in Burma that we've seen in years," the president said.

Regarding Obama's remarks, Thein Sein said, "His recognition of our development is good news for our country."

Asked about efforts toward democratisation by the new government, which took over from the military junta in March, Thein Sein referred to the diversity of people, religion and culture in Burma.

"We have to build democracy for the sake of our people and nation," he said.

Regarding his first meeting with Suu Kyi in August, Thein Sein said: "Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and I met like family members, like brother and sister. She understands our goodwill. She has changed her attitude." "Daw" is an honourific term.

"We had an opportunity to voice opinions from both sides. We agreed on some points and disagreed on others. We said we had to resolve our disagreements and differences first and work together for the country's common interest," Thein Sein added.

However, concerning the release of all political prisoners, which Western countries have demanded, Thein Sein emphasised he would not regard them as special.

He said: "They (political prisoners) violated the law. There are other people who also violated the law. If we talked about this group and ignored others, it would not be fair. We will consider everyone...We will (grant amnesty) when the situation and time is right, because all are our citizens."

Thein Sein also praised remarks by Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda about Japanese cooperation with Burma on economic development. Noda met with Thein Sein in Nusa Dua on Friday, and the Burma president said he hoped for more investment from Japan.

Junichi Fukasawa

The Yomiuri Shimbun

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