December 5, 2014 11:20 pm JST
Myanmar's transition to democracy
Obama says reforms not complete, urges free and fair elections
THUREIN HLA HTWAY, Nikkei staff writer
YANGON -- After a decade of sanctioning Myanmar, the President of the United States Barack Obama has for the first time officially called the country, which is also known as Burma, Myanmar. Obama had refused to use the name Myanmar in his first visit in 2012, but that was not the case when he attended the East Asia Summit in Yangon in November.
Obama held talks with Myanmar President U Thein Sein, parliament speakers, democratic icon Aung San Suu Kyi and civil societies during his second visit to the country.
The confusion surrounding the Southeast Asian country's name is more political than linguistic. In 1989, the military government renamed Burma Myanmar and Rangoon Yangon, but the US and some other western countries did not recognize these changes.
The November meetings ended successfully for hosts Myanmar, which is counting down to general elections next year. The elections are scheduled for as early as October and could be a turning point for the country as a democracy.
At a press conference following his meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi, Obama stressed that Myanmar's reforms were "by no means complete or irreversible." He urged the government to carry out "free, fair and inclusive" elections.
"The constitution amendment process needs to reflect inclusion rather than exclusion," he said reminding the public about another crucial issue to be debated ahead of the elections.
The military-drafted constitution bars Aung San Suu Kyi from presidency and provides the military with a legislative veto.
The influential speaker of Myanmar's parliament Shwe Mann said a referendum on amending the constitution might be held in May. But he also pointed out the constitution would not be changed before next year's general election. He stressed that it is the responsibility of the parliament that emerges from the election to make amendments.
Most locals understand the constitution can not stand as it is if Myanmar truly wants to make the transition to a democracy.
Aung San Suu Kyi has called the constitution "unfair, unjust and undemocratic." "It is not right to discriminate against one particular citizen," she said. "We believe in the rule of law. We cannot achieve harmony without security. If we want democracy, we have to dare to live according to the principles of democracy. We'll remain fully committed to the principle of non-violence," she said.
Besides the issue of the constitution, critics say there are other obstacles facing the elections; the nationwide ceasefire agreement between the government and ethnic minorities.
Thein Sein has admitted Myanmar's army and some ethnic groups are clashing at a grass roots level.
The five-day long September meeting between the government backed Union Peace Working Committee (UPWC) and the Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team (NCCT) led by ethnic minority groups concluded it would be difficult to sign a nationwide ceasefire. However, without a nationwide ceasefire agreement, it will be hard to hold elections in hotspots.
http://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/International-Relations/Obama-says-reforms-not-complete-urges-free-and-fair-elections
