Burma\'s Suu Kyi Takes Office With Political Plans Still Unclear

Burma's elected democratic opposition have been sworn into office in a ceremony in parliament marking an historic turn inside the country's military-run politics. But analysts say the opposition has little power and an awful lot to profit about politics.

In a scene that might were unthinkable just months ago, opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other elected members of her National League for Democracy officially took their seats Wednesday in parliament.

In a different morning ceremony within the capital, Naypyitaw, they read an oath they'd previously disputed (and pledged) to safeguard the army-drafted constitution.

Aung San Suu Kyi told reporters she had tremendous good will toward the army, despite the opposition want to reduce its power and presence within the parliament.

“We would prefer our parliament to be consistent with genuine democratic values," she said. "It's not because we wish to remove anybody as such.  We just have the desire to make the type of improvements that remain - a countrywide assembly, a very democratic one."

The ceremony was delayed following the NLD's landslide win within the April 1 by-election, since it wanted the wording of the oath changed to mention “respect” the constitution. The NLD desires to change the charter to offer less power to the army, now guaranteed 1 / 4 of parliament seats and the legal authority to take power in cases of national emergency.

But Aung San Suu Kyi announced Monday the NLD gave up its demand within the interest of moving politics forward.

Analysts say the opposition has lots to be informed about politics. Other than amending the constitution, the NLD has only vague platforms of supporting rule of law, peace with ethnic rebels, and development.

Vahu Development Institute analyst Aung Thu Nyein says the NLD continues to be a celebration of activists, wanting help with political strategy.

“But among the many strong points for the NLD is that they got popular support," said Aung Thu Nyein. "It's not that difficult [for] the NLD to arrange one of those consultative section - maybe retired bureaucrats or the opposite economists, academics and the alternative strategists.”

Despite its April election win, the NLD has below eight percent of seats in parliament, giving it little power to pursue its agenda. But observers say almost universal respect and support for Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD gives them leverage.

The director of the Institute of Security and International Studies at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University, Thitinan Pongsudhirak says expectations are high for the opposition and reform-minded President Thein Sein.

“At a similar time the expectancies will even put pressure at the Thein Sein regime and the generals inside the background," said Thitinan Pongsudhirak. "They should know that each one eyes within the international community, inside the region, and domestically are excited about them.”

Burma's military has ruled the rustic since 1962. In 2010 it held flawed elections that sidelined the NLD, but brought a nominally civilian government to power.

President Thein Sein, a former general, then surprised critics with a sequence of reforms which have led Western governments to suspend and raise sanctions against Burma.

He met directly with Aung San Suu Kyi, who was released after 15 years of house arrest, and allowed the NLD to contest the April election.

Although the NLD is now the official opposition in parliament, little political debate is predicted until the legislative session resumes in July.

Next month, Aung San Suu Kyi is anticipated to take her first overseas trip since her release. She's going to travel to Norway to be honored for the Nobel Peace Prize she was awarded in 1991, when the army was still holding her under house arrest.  

From WhatNewsToday.net

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