President U Thein Sein on Wednesday assured opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi that power would be “peacefully” handed over to her National League for Democracy party that won the November 8 polls by a landslide, a government spokesman said.
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Suu Kyi has taken a more conciliatory tone towards the military since becoming a lawmaker but her meeting with Min Aung Hlaing comes after she spoke out at against him in June for influencing military legislators.
“The election was a very peaceful one but my main concern is on the motives of the military and how they are thinking or planning the power transfer, despite the military and the government promising a smooth transfer power”, said Cardinal Bo, 67.
Suu Kyi is banned under the 2008 constitution from becoming president on account of her marriage with a deceased British academic, Dr Michael Aris, with whom she had two sons who hold British passports.
Myanmar President U Thein Sein on Wednesday met Aung San Suu Kyi, chairperson of the opposition party which has won majority in the recent general elections, for a dialogue in the presidential palace.
“We have no tradition of the peaceful (power) transfer to a new elected government since we gained independence in 1948”.
Myanmar, also known as Burma, has been led by the military for about 50 years.
Suu Kyi has reportedly met Shwe Mann several times since the November poll, and he is seen as a possible presidential contender as Suu Kyi herself is constitutionally barred from holding the post.
Minister Ye Htut also moved to deny rumours that the hand of feared former junta leader general Than Shwe is guiding the pace and depth of reforms.
Later in the day, Suu Kyi is scheduled to meet commander-in-chief of defence services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
“We are glad to hear the government and military will cooperate, but words of promise are not enough and practical action is needed, given the complexity of political problems in the country”, said Aye Thar Aung, a member of parliament and the leader of the ethnic Arakan National Party (ANP).
Suu Kyi has vowed to rule from “above the president”, indicating she will appoint a proxy to the role to circumvent the charter block on her political rise.
Under Myanmar’s constitution, the military retains control of 25 percent of all parliamentary seats.
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Public jitters about possible turbulence in the months ahead have been eased by endorsements of the election win by Thein Sein and Min Aung Hlaing.
