Burmese democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi met with President Thein Sein for the first time Friday in the latest reconciliation gesture by the country’s nominally civilian government which took power earlier this year.
The Nobel Prize winner, who was released from house arrest following elections last November, met with Thein Sein at his presidential palace after a four-hour journey by car to the capital Naypyidaw from her home in Rangoon.
“A private discussion between [Suu Kyi] and the president took place at the president’s palace from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.,” said Khun Tha Myint, a close friend who accompanied Suu Kyi to the capital.
“I expect she will release details to the media after she discusses the meeting with the executive members of the National League for Democracy (NLD),” he said, referring to Suu Kyi’s political party, which is believed to be in negotiations to be officially re-registered following a ban imposed before last year’s elections.
Independent media were not permitted to attend the talks.
The state-controlled MRTV said in its evening news bulletin that during the meeting, Thein Sein had “cordially explained the activities the government had been carrying out for the interest of the people and the country."
"It is learnt that the president and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi discussed in a very cordial and friendly atmosphere the possibilities of cooperating, after setting aside the differences in opinions, in matters of common interests that will really benefit the country and the people.”
'Significant'
A government source, who spoke to Agence Press-France on condition of anonymity, called the meeting "significant."
NLD central executive committee member Win Tin said he welcomed the meeting between the two leaders.
“This meeting will bring greater understanding between the NLD and the government going forward,” he said.
Veteran politician Htwe Myint referred to the meeting as “a step forwards for national reconciliation.”
Thein Sein had extended the invitation to meet with Suu Kyi on Wednesday and also requested that she attend the National Economic Development Forum which began in the capital Friday.
Presidential advisor Ko Ko Hlaing had told RFA on Thursday that he expected to see Suu Kyi at the forum “as it is very important for the country.” Suu Kyi did not attend the forum.
Recent reforms
The talks mark the latest in a series of conciliatory efforts by the army-backed Burmese government led by Thein Sein, who is widely seen as more moderate than his predecessors during the days of the military junta.
The military's nearly five decades of power officially ended in March, when the ruling State Peace and Development Council made way for a nominally civilian government led mostly by retired generals.
In another reform-minded gesture, the government on Thursday invited armed ethnic groups to hold peace talks.
The government has also invited the International Monetary Fund to look at possible reforms to its currency system and a series of meetings have taken place between senior government officials and Western delegations.
Exiles
On Wednesday, Thein Sein said his government will allow exiles to return home and will consider leniency with respect to offenses other than murder, though many say they will remain doubtful of the overtures until the country’s 2,000 political prisoners are released.
The moves follow two rounds of talks between Suu Kyi and Burmese Labor Minister Aung Kyi followed by joint statements highlighting cooperation, as well as government support for the NLD leader’s first political trip to the provinces since 2003.
Some believe the new efforts by Burma’s government to engage the opposition is part of an orchestrated attempt at improving their international image in the hopes of ending decades of Western sanctions.
Others believe the recent reform campaign signals a bid by the leadership to woo neighboring governments into allowing Burma to host a high profile Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit.
Reported by RFA’s Burmese service. Translated by Khin Maung Soe. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.