Political Monitor No.27
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Euro-Burma Office 17 to 30 September 2011 Political Monitor POLITICAL MONITOR NO. 27 OFFICIAL MEDIA PRESIDENT U THEIN SEIN’S MESSAGE TO BURMA’S PARLIAMENTS On 30 September, President U Thein Sein sent a message to Burma’s Parliaments (Pyithu Hluttaw and Amyotha Hluttaw). Stating that his government will undertake good governance, clean government, as well as the burgeoning of democratic practices coupled with economic and environmental conservation as the back bone in bringing about changes to the country, Burma’s new President has taken a bold and yet controversial political move. The government, with the aim of bringing peace and stability, has offered an olive branch to the ethnic armed groups for peace negotiations. As an elected government, it is important to address the concerns of the people and furthermore to respect the will of the people, and to that the end, the government, with a view of promoting and maintaining good relations, will coordinate with the Chinese government in finding an amicable solution to the Myitsone Dam project without undermining cordial relations. (Please find the full Text of the President’s message below in Appendix A). UNION MINISTER U AUNG KYI MEETS DAW AUNG SAN SUU KYI Union Minister for Labour and for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement U Aung Kyi met with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi at Seinle Kantha State House on 30 September. After the meeting, the two briefed local and foreign correspondents on the outcome of their meeting and issued the following press release: At the invitation of the Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi called on Union Minister U Aung Kyi at Seinle Kantha State House from on 30 September 2011. They discussed steps being taken by the President to grant amnesty, as well as means and ways to promote bilateral cooperation in conservation of the Ayeyawady River, endeavours of the government to build eternal peace with armed groups within the framework of law and cooperation in ensuring community peace and prevalence of law and order. They also reached an agreement to continue their meetings. 1 BURMA, POLAND TO PROMOTE BILATERAL COOPERATION Deputy Foreign Ministers from Burma and Poland held talks at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the new capital Nay Pyi Taw on 25 September. The visiting Polish delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister and Development Cooperation of Poland Mr. Krzysztof Stanowski took part in the meeting while the Burmese delegation was led by Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Maung Myint. During the meeting, the two sides discussed matters including strengthening bilateral relations, promoting bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on progress in both countries.2 1Union Minister U Aung Kyi meets Daw Aung San Suu Kyi – http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs12/NLM2011-10-01.pdf (NLM) 1 October 2011 (p. 10) 2Myanmar, Poland to promote bilateral cooperation – http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs12/NLM2011-09-26.pdf (NLM) 26 September 2011 (p. 2) Page 1 of 7 Euro-Burma Office 17 to 30 September 2011 Political Monitor LOWER HOUSE SPEAKER RECEIVES VICE-CHAIRMAN OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE OF THE PEOPLE’S NATIONAL CONGRESS OF CHINA ZHENG SILIN Pyithu Hluttaw (Lower House) Speaker Thura U Shwe Mann received the Vice-Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the People’s National Congress Hon. Mr. Zheng Silin and party at the Pyithu Hluttaw Building on 23 September. Also present were Deputy Speaker of Pyithu Hluttaw U Nanda Kyaw Swa, Chairmen of Pyithu Hluttaw Committees U T Khun Myat, U Thurein Zaw, U Win Sein, U Hla Myint Oo and Secretary Dr Soe Yin. The visiting delegation was accompanied by the Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Li Junhua. The two sides exchanged views on promoting bilateral relations and cooperation between the parliamentary assemblies of the two countries.3 LOWER HOUSE SPEAKER RECEIVES JAPANESE REP KOZO YAMAMOTO AND DELEGATION Pyithu Hluttaw (Lower House) Speaker Thura U Shwe Mann received a Japanese parliamentary delegation led by Member of the House of Representatives of Japan Mr. Kozo Yamamoto at the Pyithu Hluttaw Building on 23rd September in Nay Pyi Taw. Also present at the meeting were the Deputy Speaker of Pyithu Hluttaw U Nanda Kyaw Swa as well as committee members of the Hluttaw. The visiting Japanese delegation discussed matters on promotion of relations between the two parliaments.4 UNION PARLIAMENT SPEAKER U KHIN AUNG MYINT ATTENDS SECOND PLENARY SESSION OF 32ND AIPA Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (Union Hluttaw) Speaker U Khin Aung Myint attended the second plenary session of the 32nd ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) in Phnom Penh of Cambodia on 23 September. Also present were the President of Senate of Cambodia Mr Samdech Akka Moha Thamma Pothisal Cheasim, the President of AIPA and President of Cambodian National Assembly, speakers of parliaments of AIPA member countries, Hluttaw representatives, leaders of special observer and observer countries, officials of AIPA and ASEAN and guests. Other members of the Burmese parliamentary delegation included Daw Win Maw Tun of Yenanchaung constituency (USDP), U Nyunt Tin of Rangoon Region 2 (USDP), Wunna Kyaw Htin U Htay Myint of Myeik constituency (USDP), Dr Khin Shwe of Rangoon Region 9 (USDP) and Dr Aye Maung of Rakhine constituency 1 (Rakhine Nationalities Development Party).5 UNION PARLIAMENT SPEAKER MEETS CAMBODIAN DEP PM & MINISTERS While attending the 32ndASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) session in Cambodia, Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (Union Hluttaw) Speaker U Khin Aung Myint, accompanied by Hluttaw representatives, the Burmese Ambassador to Cambodia U Cho Tun Aung and officials, met the Vice Governor of National Bank of Cambodia Ms Neav Chan Thana, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance of Cambodia Mr Keat Chhon, Minister of Commerce of Cambodia Mr. Chom Prasith on 19 September, and the Minister of Culture and Fine Arts Mr Him Chhem on 21 September. The meetings focused on maintaining amicable relationship between two countries and matters for boosting cooperation.6 3 Speaker of Pyithu Hluttaw receives Vice-Chairman of Foreign Affairs Committee of the People’s National Congress of China – http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs12/NLM2011-09-24.pdf (NLM) 24 September 2011 (p. 1 & 7) 4 Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker receives Japanese delegation led by Member of Japan’s House of Representatives – http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs12/NLM2011-09-24.pdf (NLM) 24 September 2011 (p.1 & 7) 5 Speaker of Pyidaungsu Hluttaw U Khin Aung Myint attends second Plenary session of 32nd AIPA – http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs12/NLM2011-09-26.pdf (NLM) 26 September 2011 (p. 1 & 8) 6 Pyidaungsu Hluttaw speaker meets Cambodian Dy PM, Ministers - http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs12/NLM2011-09-26.pdf (NLM) 26 September 2011 (p. 7) Page 2 of 7 Euro-Burma Office 17 to 30 September 2011 Political Monitor HLUTTAW SESSIONS (20th to 28th day) – Highlights Pyithu Hluttaw (Lower House) session: During the 20th to 28th day sessions of the Pyithu Hluttaw the following key issues were discussed: Suspension of border trade in Myawady in Kayin State7 Formation of Farmer’s Organisation8 Burma acquiring nuclear weapons9 Use of the word ‘Myanmar’10 Amyotha Hluttaw (Upper House) Session: Similarly, at the Amyotha Hluttaw session the following questions were raised by the respective MPs in attendance: Expanding the national energy grid in Rakhine State11 Dialogue between the government and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and ethnic groups on national reconciliation12 Opening of border trading camp in Phayathonsu in Kayin State13 Role of Burma in disarmament14 7 Second regular session of first Pyithu Hluttaw continues for 20th day / Six questions answered, one proposal discussed and one bill approved - http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs12/NLM2011-09-20.pdf (NLM) 20 September 2011 (p. 8) 8 Second regular session of first Pyithu Hluttaw continues for 22nd day / Six questions answered, one bill submitted, one proposal discussed, one new proposal submitted - http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs12/NLM2011-09-22.pdf (NLM) 22 September 2011 (p. 16) 9 Second regular session of first Pyithu Hluttaw continues for 24th day / Seven questions answered, one proposal discussed, two new proposals submitted - http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs12/NLM2011-09-24.pdf (NLM) 24 September 2011 (p. 8) 10 Second regular session of first Pyithu Hluttaw continues for 27th day / Five questions answered, one proposal discussed, approval for yesterday’s bill continued - http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs12/NLM2011-09-29.pdf (NLM) 29 September 2011 (p. 8) 11 Second regular session of first Amyotha Hluttaw continues for 20th day / Eleven questions answered, reports of respective committees submitted - http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs12/NLM2011-09-20.pdf (NLM) 20 September 2011 (p. 10) 12 Second regular session of first Amyotha Hluttaw continues for 24th day / Answers given to questions of Hluttaw representatives - http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs12/NLM2011-09-24.pdf (NLM) 24 September 2011 (p. 11) 13 Regular session of first Amyotha Hluttaw continues for 25th day / Seven questions replied, one of two bills decided to rehear, one bill approved, one proposal discussed, approved, three proposals submitted - http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs12/NLM2011-09-27.pdf (NLM) 27 September 2011 (p. 10) 14 Second regular session of first Amyotha Hluttaw continues for 27th day/ Five questions answered, one review approved and put on record, one new proposal submitted - http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs12/NLM2011-09-30.pdf (NLM) 30 September 2011 (p. 11) Page 3 of 7 Euro-Burma Office 17 to 30 September 2011 Political Monitor UNOFFICIAL MEDIA POLISH DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS DAW AUNG SAN SUU KYI A delegation led by the Deputy Foreign Minister and Development Cooperation of Poland Mr. Krzysztof Stanowski met opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on 28 September 2011, at her residence in Rangoon.