Friday, September 30, 2011

Suu Kyi and gov’t minister discuss amnesty and establishing peace

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Friday, 30 September 2011 18:20 Mizzima News

Rangoon (Mizzima) – Burma’s opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and government Labour Minister Aung Kyi discussed granting amnesty and establishing peace with ethnic armed groups on Friday.

At a joint press conference after their 77-minute meeting in Rangoon, they also said they discussed cooperating in conservation efforts to protect the Irrawaddy River and to cooperate for the stability of the country and the prevalence of law and order. They also also said the meetings will continue.

Aung San Suu Kyi speaks to the media in Rangoon after her third meeting with Burmese government Minister of Labour Aung Kyi on Friday, September 30, 2011. They discussed amnesty, the halt of the Myitsone Dam project and peace with ethnic armed groups. Photo: Mizzima

It was Suu Kyi’s third meeting with Union Minister Aung Kyi under the new government led by President Thein Sein.

Suu Kyi also told reporters that she welcomed President Thein Sein’s decision to halt the Myitsone Dam project at some point during his government’s tenure.

Suu Kyi said, “It’s very good that [the government] listens to the people’s voice. That is a task every government must do. Governments need to work to solve the problems that make people worry.”

On Friday, President Thein Sein informed both houses of the Burmese Parliament by letter that the Myitsone Dam project on the Irrawaddy River would be halted at some point during his government’s tenure, citing people’s concern about the dam’s impact on the environment.

The letter also said that without spoiling the friendship between China and Burma, the government would discuss the contract agreed to with China, which is funding the dam project that will generate 6,000 megawatts of electricity

Meanwhile, many people have welcomed the president’s decision on the Internet.

In reply to a question whether the National League for Democracy (NLD) and its leader Suu Kyi would contest in the coming by-election or not, the labour minister answered that if the NLD registers as a political party, the government is ready to cooperate with the NLD. Presently, the NLD is the main opposition group outside of the Burmese Parliament.

Regarding registering as a political party, Suu Kyi, who spent 14 years under house arrest, said that she must first consult with the NLD leadership. The NLD did not re-register to become a political party prior to the 2010 elections.

“We don’t oppose elections according to any policy. We have already accepted that elections are a part of a democratic system,” Suu Kyi said.

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