CHRISTIAN leaders believe it’s too early to say whether recent meetings between opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and a government minister will lead to tangible results and reconciliation.
A thaw in relations appears to be a possibility after Labor Minister U Aung Kyi and Suu Kyi met for discussions on July 25 and August 12. After the latter meeting, they released a statement pledging “constructive cooperation.”
The same day, the government said Suu Kyi should join Myanmar’s “national reconciliation” efforts.
On Sunday Suu Kyi made her first political trip outside Yangon since her release from house arrest.
During her trip to Bago, 80 kilometers north of Myanmar’s main city, she called for national unity.
“We need to wait and see what happens. The new civilian government may only be seeking recognition overseas to get international sanctions lifted and to get the chair of ASEAN in 2014,” a Protestant church leader said on condition of anonymity in Yangon.
A Catholic Church leader, who also wished to remain anonymous, said the meetings are just one of several indications of possible change since the election of the civilian government in March — a bit more freedom of speech, being more receptive and willing to accept advice from the public, are some of them.
However, “there are doubts over the president’s [Thein Sein’s] ability to lead the country. Even though there are indications of positive changes, progress is still too slow,” he said
The labor minister and Suu Kyi have met twice already, but “we do not know clearly the government’s real motives behind the meetings,” the Catholic leader said.
Another Church official, who also declined to be named, expressed hope that the country was heading in the right direction.
“We are eager to see meaningful progress through further dialogue between Suu Kyi and the government in the near future,” he said. Source: UCA News
