According to a government peace broker, speaking to SHAN during a break in the meeting in Chiangmai with the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) on Monday, 22 February, amendment, or even suspension, of Article 59 (f) is out of the question.

“It is not her (Aung Sun Suu Kyi) but who will come after her that’s the problem,” said the source. “It will set a dangerous precedent for future presidents.”

According to the article, a President or a Vice President “himself, one of the parents, the spouse, one of the legitimate children or their spouses (shall) not owe allegiance to a foreign power, not be subject of a foreign power or citizen of a foreign country. They shall not be persons entitled to enjoy the rights and privileges of a subject of a foreign government or citizen of a foreign country.”

He conceded though as a president, “The Lady”, as she is known, would be easier to handle, the reason being:

• Article 62 prohibits the President or Vice President from being a representative of any legislative house
• Article 63 requires them to resign from their seats in the legislature as well as any civil services offices
• Article 64 also rules them out from taking part in party activities throughout their term of office

“But we have no objection if she chooses to become a foreign minister,” he added. A foreign minister is a member of the country’s most powerful organ, the 11 person National Defense and Security Council (NDSC). Other member are: The President, 2 Vice Presidents, Speaker of Lower House, Speaker of Upper House, Commander-in-Chief, Deputy Commander-in-Chief, Defense Minister, Home Minister and Border Affairs Minister. The last three ministers are appointed by the Commander-in-Chief.

Meanwhile, according to other sources, Ms Suu has yet to give up her aspiration to become President. An ethnic leader, in response to the news, expressed his concern in this way: “If the reports are true, then it will mean she is prepared to make considerable compromises to the military. Which in turn will mean she won’t be able to accommodate the calls for ethnic and democratic rights.”

The result is that the election of the new president will be on 17 March, unlike the first time when the incumbent President was elected on 4 February in 2011.

The peace delegation led by President Office minister U Aung Min arrived in Chiangmai on Monday. His visit has two-fold purpose, he said: To meet the non-signatories of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement  (NCA) which was signed on last 15 October, and to meet the RCSS/SSA over the fighting in northern Shan State against the Palaung State Liberation Front/Ta-ang National Liberation Army (PSLF/TNLA). He will be returning on Thursday, 25 February.

By SAI KHUENSAI / Director of Pyidaungsu Institute and Founder of Shan Herald Agency for News (S.H.A.N)