Myanmar president 'will hand power' to Suu Kyi after poll win

[rooster59]

Myanmar president 'will hand power' to Suu Kyi after poll win

YANGON - Myanmar's President Thein Sein on Sunday said historic polls won in a thumping landslide by Aung San Suu Kyi's party were the consequence of his government's reforms and vowed a smooth transition of power.

The former junta general, who shed his uniform to lead the countrys quasi-civilian regime five years ago, said the November 8 polls were testament to the political and economic changes that have swept the former pariah state since the end of junta rule.

"The election is the result of our reform process and as we promised, we were able to hold it very successfully," he told a meeting of political parties in Yangon, in his first public appearance since the polls.

"We will hand this process (of reform) on to a new government," he said, adding "dont worry about the transition" in comments aimed at calming nerves in the countrys first attempt at a democratic-style transition for decades.

Addressing representatives of nearly 90 political parties, many of which were trounced by Suu Kyis National League for Democracy, the Myanmar leader said elections are the "duty" of a democratic nation.

He appeared sanguine about the resounding defeat of his army-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party, which will slip into opposition in the next parliament -- due to sit from February -- with some ten percent of the elected seats in the national parliament, compared to the NLDs 80 percent.

"The winning party is responsible for carrying out its duty and other opposition parties should provide checks and balances. That is called democracy," he said.

Thein Sein, a slight bespectacled 70-year-old, has steered the countrys dramatic opening up after years of isolation, freeing political prisoners, unleashing a long-muzzled press and welcoming foreign investment.

On Sunday he said international praise for the elections suggested they were "free and fair".

Both the president and army chief have agreed to talks with Suu Kyi in the coming days as the countrys political big-hitters look to negotiate a long transition which will see Thein Sein retain his position until March.

Observers say it is imperative that Suu Kyi build friendly ties with the military elite, which retains significant political and economic power.

Suu Kyi has already travelled to the capital Naypyidaw, where on Monday she will attend a last session of the old parliament, which will continue sitting as a caretaker legislature until January.

NLD spokesman Nyan Win, who attended Sundays Yangon meeting, reaffirmed the partys committment to "national reconciliation and peace".

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Myanmar-president-will-hand-power-to-Suu-Kyi-after-30272972.html

-- The Nation 2015-11-15

[F4UCorsair]

It will be interesting to see if the transition goes as smoothly as the president has suggested, or whether the country again finds itself under military rule. Time will tell.

[elgordo38]

It will be interesting to see if the transition goes as smoothly as the president has suggested, or whether the country again finds itself under military rule. Time will tell.

I hope it does not turn into another Yingluck moment with the military sitting in the bush ready to pounce on so called "mistakes" She better be careful walking through the military minefield.

[gregk0543]

Well the mood her on the ground in Yangon is that we will have to wait and see.

Thein Sein has generally kept his word and has acted quite well over the last 5 years.

Obviously the govt. has a bad track record of telling the truth and acting according to what they say.

So we all hope this time is different but actions not words are what is needed now.

There are 3 months till the new Govt gets in. So dont expect any quick changes and there are many many unknowns to be decided in the meantime.

For the moment though there is a long journey ahead to try to bring about reconciliation. To bring peace to ethnic disputes, to remove the corruption of govt. processes, to reverse and repair the damage of 50 years of dictatorial rule. If all parties are on the same page in this direction then that would be good. I dont expect it will be long before the mandate of the people is tested by those who have vested interests in keeping the country from achieving peace, and prosperitory and under a rule of law.

[spidermike007]

Let us see if the pig government keeps their word and does not stage another coup. Pigs do not like losing power nor control of a massive fortune being earned. Will the multi billionaire generals give up their future earnings? Hope so. Always thrilling to see piglets ousted. They have done very little to benefit their people.