Rai Maroah – Although the new Burmese government and the National League for Democracy (NLD) have shown signs of being willing to cooperate, so far there is no hope that the result will be peace in the country or resolution of ethnic issues, said representatives of the New Mon State Party (NMSP).
NMSP General Secretary Nai Hong Sar said, “Even if they cooperate on a reciprocal basis, there is no hope. I don’t believe their current cooperation will lead to internal peace, or will be able to guarantee the rights of ethnic people”.
Burmese democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and USDP Minister for Labour, Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement U Aung Kyi met a second time on 12 August following their first meeting on 25 July. A statement was released following their latest discussion. The NLD party welcomed the results of the meeting between Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Aung Kyi.
Following their meeting, Minister U Aung Kyi spoke of four points discussed with Suu Kyi. “Positive cooperation will be made for the further burgeoning democracy in Myanmar, and for ensuring economic and social development,” the minister said.
The recent meeting between Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the Union Minister included a discussion to reach mutual understanding between the government and NLD, just to agree that there will be cooperation between them, said the NLD source.
U Nyan Win, a Central Committee Member of the NLD, said the NLD will have continuous discussions about ethnic issues if the NLD reaches success in reciprocity with the government.
“If both sides find them to be beneficial, the discussions will continue. The NLD has cooperated, but there have been no benefits yet. It will take time to discuss a tripartite dialogue,” said U Nyan Win.
Nai Hong Sar said that the current cooperation is only about social issues rather than political issues. Therefore, he does not believe this cooperation will lead to peace or achieve stability in the country, and he sees little prospect for national reconciliation as a result.
He said that he thought that the meetings could be used as a ‘propaganda tool’ by Thein Sein’s government to show the international community that they have a softening stance towards the NLD, hence lessening international pressure.
