Aung Zaw: Welcome to Dateline Irrawaddy! This week, we’ll discuss the challenges that await Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy [NLD] government. Irrawaddy news crew members Ko Thalung Zaung Htet and Ko Htet Naing Zaw will join me for the discussion.
We’re all anticipating a peaceful transfer of power, which will be the first in Burma’s modern history. According to the procedure, the new Parliament will convene in February and power will be transferred in March. If this really happens, it is something to take pride in as a country that refers to itself as ‘Shwe Myanmar’ [Golden Myanmar]. But before any of this happens, there’s a question: Will Daw Aung San Suu Kyi become president? She said both before and after the election that she would be “above the president,” and she’s repeatedly commented on her desire to assume the country’s highest office. But Article 59[f] of the Constitution bars her from the presidency. So let’s discuss whether she’ll be able to become president.
Thalun Zaung Htet: Article 59[f] is still in force. But Thura U Aung Ko of the Union Solidarity and Development Party [USDP] said that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi can assume the presidency if that clause is suspended. Article 59[f], which lays out an eligibility criterion for the presidency, states that the spouse or children of the president shall not owe allegiance to a foreign power. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has two sons who are British citizens, which serves as a barrier to her bid for the presidency. If the article is suspended, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi can become president.
But some legal experts argue that it can’t be suspended. Parliament’s speakers have said that bills proposed by the government and lawmakers for debate will be postponed until the next Parliament convenes. So given the circumstances, it’s impossible to suspend Article 59[f], and it’s unlikely that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi can become the president through the Parliament. However, Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing, President U Thein Sein and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi have been in frequent communication with each other, so there might be another means by which Daw Aung San Suu Kyi can take up the office of president.
AZ: The 2008 Constitution has drawn criticism because it was drafted against the will of the people by a military regime that calls itself the Tatmadaw. To some people both in the government and in the military, this paves the way for changing the Constitution. It’s beyond a doubt that the people want Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as their president. It doesn’t matter if she actually becomes president, because people across the country already regard her as the country’s leader, a sentiment they overwhelming showed in the November election. She’s essentially the leader of this country. Former Snr-Gen Than Shwe has also reportedly endorsed her as Burma’s future president. What’s your view on this, Ko Htet Naing Zaw?
Htet Naing Zaw: I’m afraid this power transfer won’t be as smooth as the media says. According to NLD sources, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is having to make a lot of compromises with President U Thein Sein and Military Chief Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing. For example, she’s been asked to keep the government’s lead peace negotiator, Minister U Aung Min, and appoint certain members of the USDP to her cabinet. And some compromises that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been quiet about have pushed her into a corner. She’s said she will form a government of national reconciliation. Still, some NLD members don’t fully understand this situation and have even asked for minister positions.
AZ: I heard the NLD will release the list of nominees for its cabinet at the end of the month.
TZH: It’s already out. They made a provisional list at the central executive committee meeting a couple of days ago.
AZ: I’d like to pick up what Ko Htet Naing Zaw said. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has had to go her entire political life making compromises—she’s 70 now. Even though she’s been given a mandate by the people, she has to negotiate. This reflects the complicated political problems of our country.
Let’s talk about what would happen if Daw Aung San Suu Kyi were to become president and assume executive power for the first time. Previously, she was the opposition, and she was described in both local and international media as the democratic opposition leader. But in March the media will start to talk about ‘the Daw Aung San Suu Kyi government.’ Let’s discuss what challenges there will be. Ko Thalun, I think peace is the most important issue for Burma.
TZH: The Union Peace Conference [the start of a political dialogue involving the government, ethnic armed groups and other national stakeholders] kicked off in Naypyidaw on Jan. 12. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi only vaguely talked about peace in her speech, stressing that all ethnicities, including both NCA [national ceasefire agreement] signatories and non-signatories, will have to work together to achieve peace. It’s the first time she’s attended peace