Monday, 31 October 2011 14:13 Myo Thein
(Press Conference) – Burma’s opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and Union Minister Aung Kyi met on Sunday at a government guesthouse to discuss a prisoners’ amnesty, establishing peace in ethnic areas and economic and financial issues. After the meeting, Minister Aung Kyi read a joint statement and they answered questions from reporters. The following is a translation of the joint statement and the question-and-answer session.
Minister Aung Kyi read the joint statement
In accordance with the invitation by the government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi met with Union Minister Aung Kyi at Sane Lae Kan Thar State guesthouse from 13:00 p.m. to 13:55 p.m. on October 30, 2011. During the meeting, we discussed the situation in national affairs, free trade, economic development and the importance of a free cash flow. We also discussed efforts by the state to establish permanent peace with ethnic armed groups, the development of peace talks and a prisoner amnesty. We agreed that the meetings would continue. That’s all.
Question. Aung Hla Tun (Reuters)
Answer: I would like to ask Ma Ma Suu [Suu Kyi]. We recently saw some small constructive developments in Burma’s current politics. For instance, the granting of amnesty to some political prisoners and also allowing workers’ organizations to organize and stage demonstrations. The latest development is [a bill]amending the Political Parties Registration Law. Are those changes sufficient to re-register the NLD as a political party?
The Art of Freedom ရုပ္ရွင္ပြဲေတာ္Suu Kyi: The fact whether our party, the NLD, will register depends on the law. It’s a matter that we can talk about only after the law is approved [in Parliament]. When the law is approved, we will meet according to the party’s policies and make a decision.
Q: Aung Hla Tun (Reuters): We already know the law’s three main points. I think the legal experts of the NLD also know about it.
A: Aung San Suu Kyi: Yes, But, we are exact. We can talk about it only after we see the law. Before we see the law, we cannot say.
Q: Tin Maung Aye (Asahi Shimbun): The minister and Aung San Suu Kyi have met four times. Mostly, we know that you will cooperate. Could you tell me in what areas and how you will cooperate in detail, please?
A: Aung Kyi : We issued a statement in August. It said we agreed that we would cooperate for not only the development of democracy and but also in politics, economics and social affairs. I think that is a fairly comprehensive solution.
Q. Kyaw Swa Min (Yangon Times): In this meeting, did Aung Kyi and Aung San Suu Kyi discuss the matter regarding re-registration of the NLD, more amnesty and and holding a meeting between Aung San Suu Kyi and the president?
A: Aung San Suu Kyi: We discussed all of those matters. Every time we meet, we discuss those matters. Because, they are related with our reconciliation.
Q. Aye Aye Win (AP): Could you please tell me a little about your discussion on financial affairs? Is it related to the IMF or similar issues?
A: Aung Kyi : We have talked about it recently. If you read carefully, you’ll see. The importance of cash flows and spending covers many things.
Q. (A reporter): Does the government have a plan to release political prisoners soon?
A: Minister Aung Kyi: When we take an action, we usually do it step-by-step. As all of you know, we will not make a [big] jump. But, we will not stop. Thanks to all of you.
(Press Conference) – Burma’s opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and Union Minister Aung Kyi met on Sunday at a government guesthouse to discuss a prisoners’ amnesty, establishing peace in ethnic areas and economic and financial issues. After the meeting, Minister Aung Kyi read a joint statement and they answered questions from reporters. The following is a translation of the joint statement and the question-and-answer session.
 |
| Aung San Suu Kyi and Union Minister Aung Kyi leave Sane Lae Kan Thar State guesthouse in Rangoon after their fourth meeting under the new government. Photo: Mizzima |
Minister Aung Kyi read the joint statement
In accordance with the invitation by the government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi met with Union Minister Aung Kyi at Sane Lae Kan Thar State guesthouse from 13:00 p.m. to 13:55 p.m. on October 30, 2011. During the meeting, we discussed the situation in national affairs, free trade, economic development and the importance of a free cash flow. We also discussed efforts by the state to establish permanent peace with ethnic armed groups, the development of peace talks and a prisoner amnesty. We agreed that the meetings would continue. That’s all.
Question. Aung Hla Tun (Reuters)
Answer: I would like to ask Ma Ma Suu [Suu Kyi]. We recently saw some small constructive developments in Burma’s current politics. For instance, the granting of amnesty to some political prisoners and also allowing workers’ organizations to organize and stage demonstrations. The latest development is [a bill]amending the Political Parties Registration Law. Are those changes sufficient to re-register the NLD as a political party?
The Art of Freedom ရုပ္ရွင္ပြဲေတာ္Suu Kyi: The fact whether our party, the NLD, will register depends on the law. It’s a matter that we can talk about only after the law is approved [in Parliament]. When the law is approved, we will meet according to the party’s policies and make a decision.
Q: Aung Hla Tun (Reuters): We already know the law’s three main points. I think the legal experts of the NLD also know about it.
A: Aung San Suu Kyi: Yes, But, we are exact. We can talk about it only after we see the law. Before we see the law, we cannot say.
Q: Tin Maung Aye (Asahi Shimbun): The minister and Aung San Suu Kyi have met four times. Mostly, we know that you will cooperate. Could you tell me in what areas and how you will cooperate in detail, please?
A: Aung Kyi : We issued a statement in August. It said we agreed that we would cooperate for not only the development of democracy and but also in politics, economics and social affairs. I think that is a fairly comprehensive solution.
 |
| Aung San Suu Kyi and Union Minister Aung Kyi at a press conference at Sane Lae Kan Thar State guesthouse in Rangoon on October 30, 2011. Photo: Mizzima |
Q. Kyaw Swa Min (Yangon Times): In this meeting, did Aung Kyi and Aung San Suu Kyi discuss the matter regarding re-registration of the NLD, more amnesty and and holding a meeting between Aung San Suu Kyi and the president?
A: Aung San Suu Kyi: We discussed all of those matters. Every time we meet, we discuss those matters. Because, they are related with our reconciliation.
Q. Aye Aye Win (AP): Could you please tell me a little about your discussion on financial affairs? Is it related to the IMF or similar issues?
A: Aung Kyi : We have talked about it recently. If you read carefully, you’ll see. The importance of cash flows and spending covers many things.
Q. (A reporter): Does the government have a plan to release political prisoners soon?
A: Minister Aung Kyi: When we take an action, we usually do it step-by-step. As all of you know, we will not make a [big] jump. But, we will not stop. Thanks to all of you.
Subscribe to email feed
