Burma

NEWS ANALYSIS

Will Naypyidaw's Olive Branch Bear Fruit?

By BA KAUNG Monday, August 15, 2011

Burma’s Labor and Social Welfare Minister Aung Kyi, right, and democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, left, listen to questions from the media during a press conference on Aug. 12. (Photo: AP)

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If the reports prove true, Thein Sein will have to go to great lengths if he chooses to fight against the entrenched corruption and bureaucratic intransigence within the system, as well as the interest groups dependent on it.

It is noteworthy that the country's state-run newspapers portrayed Tin Aung Myint Oo in a strong positive light on their front pages for two consecutive days last week—he was seen greeting flood victims in Mon State and telling local authorities that the new government in Naypyidaw is effectively exercising executive, legislative and judiciary powers in line with the Constitution.

“The coverage aims to show the tooth of the conservative forces in the government, and we have yet to see some sort of consensus among the top ranks,” said the leader of a major political party represented in the national Parliament, who described the situation as more of an internal conflict than a power struggle.

So despite the positive signals emerging from talks with Suu Kyi, there is still confusion and uncertainty over the direction Burma’s government is heading, as well as its motivations.

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COMMENTS (10)

KKK Wrote:

17/08/2011

Yes, we will soon to see the poisonous fruits bearing on the olive branch.

Oo Maung gyi Wrote:

16/08/2011

It is life and death poblem for President Thein Sein government to get recognitation from out side world including Asean chairmanship for him is also badly needed for his survival. Anyway, as for opposition groups, it is very important to release all political prisoners is a prioty iussue. It is requie to form a NATIONAL GOVERNMENT(NG) is a must, so that it will be easier to get recognition from global community.Daw Suu's cooperation with the government is an immediate essential factor for the government. Without Daw Suu's participation under NG how can ethnic group and government troop fighting will stop is a question mark.

Kyaw Wrote:

16/08/2011

The assassins are trying to negotiate with the survivor of the assassination.
They have committed unspeakable and unbelievable crimes in the human history such as deny the votes of the whole Nation and assassinated their leaders. Now they need helps from their victim badly.

Rene Popovsky Wrote:

16/08/2011

Let’s hope that this positive momentum for change will accelerate and bear fruit. There are many obstacles, as this article shows, mainly from conservative politicians. Also there must be urgency in unifying the country, bring all those ethnic minorities together, to form a nation, either unitary or federal, it is up to all people living in state of Myanmar, only then , peace and prosperity may come.

TW Wrote:

16/08/2011

Don't trust .
That's just for show.

Moe Aung Wrote:

16/08/2011

We might be witnessing if you can't fight 'em join 'em in reverse. The co-optation of ASSK, whose shining star can no longer be extinguished brutally since they've turned 'democratic', seems afoot.

If the release of political prisoners including the 88 generation leaders actually happens, it's a step forward. Contradictions both built-in and add-ons within the system will work through their way. Only the last time Khin Nyunt tried it his way, he came to grief.

Mualcin Wrote:

16/08/2011

The leopard will never change its spots, and Burmese military will never change its unworthiness.

Tom Tun Wrote:

16/08/2011

There is still confusion and uncertainty over the direction Burma's government is heading, as well as its motivations. I can agree with that statement. However the history has taught us that military leadership actions are all about deception to hold on to power. It will be little improvement for ordinary citizen of Burma and it will be little improvement for political situation with Ethnic minority. 2008 constitution is an obsticle for Burma reconciiliation and creation of peace with ethnic brotherins.

Dave Wrote:

16/08/2011

It's a fascinating juncture which the country is at right now, as even this short article makes clear; take care though, in all your reporting of moves and strategies of the top brass (on both sides), not to forget the everyday experience of the ordinary person. That is political reality.

Tettoe Aung Wrote:

16/08/2011

Don't put your money on yet. Just because he's a minister that doesn't mean that his words and promises are worth 'trusting'. Politics in general has declined into the status of 'gutter politics' in particular with the reputation of the military regime is the thing to go by, my advice will be, 'let alone fruit, we don't even see the bud yet.' They have to come up to the standard of what Daw Suu referred to as 'political integrity' first.