Myanmar Clears Path For Suu Kyi's Return To Politics

[webfact]

Myanmar clears path for Suu Kyi's return to politics

YANGON, November 5, 2011 (AFP) - Myanmar's president has approved changes to a law on political parties, paving the way for democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's opposition party to re-register, state media said Saturday.

The revisions to the political party registration law appear to be the latest effort by the military-dominated regime to reach out to opponents, amid tentative signs of change in the repressive state.

A key amendment endorsed by President Thein Sein on Friday removed the condition that all parties must agree to "preserve" the country's 2008 constitution, the state-run Myanmar Ahlin newspaper said.

The wording has now been changed to "respect and obey", it said, a small difference in nuance but one that would allow Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party to criticise or suggest changes to the constitution.

The revised law also removed a contentious clause that said prisoners could not be party members.

NLD spokesman Nyan Win said the party welcomed the changes but he refused to be drawn on whether it meant it would re-register and contest a by-election expected around the end of the year.

"We like the amended law as it amended the facts that should be amended," he told AFP.

"We will discuss and negotiate what to do and how to continue on Monday when the office opens."

The NLD boycotted Myanmar's historic elections last year, largely because of rules that would have forced it to expel imprisoned members -- including leader Suu Kyi who was still under house arrest at the time.

As a result it was delisted as a political party by the regime.

Myanmar's new nominally civilian government said in September it was ready to work with Suu Kyi and her party if they officially re-entered the political arena.

In response, the Nobel Peace Prize winner, freed from detention last November after seven years of house arrest, said she would discuss the issue of re-registering with senior party members based on political developments.

The amendments to the party registration law came hot on the heels of high-profile visits to Myanmar this week by senior officials from the United Nations and the United States, who said they were encouraged by nascent reforms in the country.

A recent prisoner amnesty by the new government, however, failed to free most key dissidents, disappointing those who had hoped the country would release all its roughly 2,000 political detainees.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-11-05

[BinDhumm]

Hey, thats at least ONE GOOD NEWS in the area!

[bigbamboo]

It's Miracle Myanmar! I'll believe it when i see it.

[phomsanuk]

After the floods the Thai will need them even more and they are already a bigger customer than China, if all goes well it's an investment goldmine do any of you know how to invest there, fund or ...?

[BinDhumm]

After the floods the Thai will need them even more and they are already a bigger customer than China, if all goes well it's an investment goldmine do any of you know how to invest there, fund or ...?

NOT! I am talking about HUMANITY ! Why does the whole world seem to think ONLY MONEY?! NO WONDER EVERYTHING IS <deleted>..ED UP!! Disgusting.

[Scott]

Let's stick to the topic of Suu Kyi. If you wish to discuss investment, I suggest the business form.

[MrMuddle]

I hope this is a new start for the people of Myanmar, after so many false dawns, it would be nice to see a new era begin with Thailand's neighbour. Aung Saan Suu Kyi has been in the political wilderness for far too long, even if this amendment isn't everything she hoped for, maybe now is the time to take the olive branch that is being offered.

[BinDhumm]

I hope this is a new start for the people of Myanmar, after so many false dawns, it would be nice to see a new era begin with Thailand's neighbour. Aung Saan Suu Kyi has been in the political wilderness for far too long, even if this amendment isn't everything she hoped for, maybe now is the time to take the olive branch that is being offered.

+10000

[Thailovingexpat]

After the floods the Thai will need them even more and they are already a bigger customer than China, if all goes well it's an investment goldmine do any of you know how to invest there, fund or ...?

Phomsanuk...If serious contact me. Have been doing business there, and between her and here 17 years. Yes fortunes are waiing to be made and the people are beautiful and hard working.

[friendphil]

I've seen how Myanmar "Paves the way": by hands, one stone at a time. First they pour a little smattering of tar on the old road surface, then laborers arrange stones, by hand, about the size of footballs on the surface. Then a machine (yes, they actually do have a machine!) comes along to crush the stones.

I'll believe this paved way for democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi when I see it!