WASHINGTON:
President Thein Sein of Burma, the former general who President Barack Obama
hopes is leading a transition from dictatorship to democracy, is not an
imposing figure. The longer you talk with him, the less imposing he seems.
That,
at least, was my impression after interviewing him for about 45 minutes Sunday,
along with The Washington Post's Anne Gearan.
We tried to find out whether the president
believes the clause the junta inserted into the constitution effectively
barring Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of democracy forces in Burma, from the
presidency should remain in effect:
Q: Do
you think the constitution should be changed to remove the provision that would
exclude Aung San Suu Kyi from serving as president?
A:
With regard to the amendment of the constitution, there are provisions within
the constitution for the amendment of the constitution. For the constitution to
be amended, it needs to be discussed among the elected members of parliament.
Secondly, the constitution that was adopted by the people needs the approval of
the people to be amended.
Q.
Yes, but I was asking your opinion. Do you think it should be amended?
A. My
personal view is that the constitution can be changed. There is a process in
the constitution for the amendment of the constitution, so I do not have a say.
Q. But
your opinion does matter?
A.
Actually, the amendment of the constitution is not directly related to the
executive branch. It is within parliament. But I am myself a citizen of the
constitution, so I am also related to the amendment of the constitution.
Q. So
do you have an opinion about whether Aung San Suu Kyi should be allowed to run
for president?
A. It
is a normal process that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her party can contest the
upcoming parliamentary election.
Q. But as of now she would not be eligible to
be president. Do you think that is correct or should it be changed?
A. As I said earlier, the amendment of the
constitution depends on the members of parliament, and secondly will depend on
the will of the people, because for the amendment we need the approval of the
people.
Western
officials hope that Thein Sein, who has been in power for about two years, is
bravely negotiating a treacherous path from the repressive regime he was once
part of to a society in which people can choose their leaders.
Along
the way, they believe, he has to battle hardliners who oppose change; corrupt
businessmen and generals who fear exposure; reform advocates who might push too
hard, too fast; ethnic and religious conflict; and rising expectations among
citizens who believe political reform should quickly lead to economic
improvement.
If so,
his circumspection might be a clever tactic to keep everyone on board as
reforms move forward. Alternatively, it could be an indication that the
generals remain firmly in control and that Thein Sein is not free to express a
view that might offend them.
Or it might be that he hopes the reform path
can stop somewhere short of true democracy.
It's
impossible to tell from a 45-minute interview. But it is possible to walk out
feeling less than reassured.
Fred
Hiatt is editorial page editor of The Washington Post.
(The true question the Washington Post editor should be asking was "Is Thein Sein a pretender?" and I truly believe the former General now much loved by his people is rapidly growing into his row as the democratically-elected president and he is and will be doing what he believes as the best for his beloved country for which he has sacrificed his whole life since he joined the army more than 50 years ago as a patriotic Burmese boy.)
(The true question the Washington Post editor should be asking was "Is Thein Sein a pretender?" and I truly believe the former General now much loved by his people is rapidly growing into his row as the democratically-elected president and he is and will be doing what he believes as the best for his beloved country for which he has sacrificed his whole life since he joined the army more than 50 years ago as a patriotic Burmese boy.)
