'Marching Steadily Along the Path'

Q: We've heard that Parliament is discussing an amendment of the political parties registration law.   How much negotiation do you think will be necessary before the government and the National League for Democracy (NLD) can agree upon a registration process?

A: It's a bit difficult to make a guess from the outside. The NLD's Central Executive Committee members will have to discuss this among themselves and with other organizations. Likewise, the government will have to have to hold consultations within the administration and with Parliament. We have to keep an eye on this issue. I can't say exactly when both parties will finish their negotiations. I think we have to give a bit more time, but I don't think it will take too long, because both sides have already understood that it is necessary to negotiate.

Q: But isn't the government under pressure to achieve results within a fixed time, since it wants to assume the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and convince foreign countries to lift sanctions—both of which depend on how much political reform the country can achieve?

A: In fact, according to the Asean Charter, Burma doesn't need to go through a placement test in order to become chairman of the bloc. The chairmanship is granted to every member state in alphabetical order. But for specific reasons, we once handed over this position to someone else. Now it is our turn to accept it.

We are not doing things just so we can become the Asean chairman. We are working in the interests of our people. We are steadily marching along the path, the way it should be. So it's up to regional organizations to decide for themselves whether Burma should be granted that position. If, after visiting the country and observing the overall situation, they believe that we are sincere us, they will hand it over to us. I think it is quite likely that Burma will be granted the chairmanship, because it is now on the right track. If Burma isn't given the chairmanship with the excuse that we haven't made enough improvements, I think it will reduce other Asean member countries' trust in the regional bloc.

Burma is not the only undemocratic country within Asean, so I think we have a good chance to be granted the chairmanship. But as I said, that's not why we're doing things. We are working for the good of the country and its people. We will move forward steadily. Making reforms is not like sitting an exam. Reform involves different circumstances and challenges. It also faces different kinds of opposition and resistance. The most important thing is that I believe that international and regional organizations will support our endeavors.