A meeting of defence ministers in Singapore has been told that the Burmese military supported the country’s democratic reforms and was even prepared to abandon its guaranteed representation in parliament.
Lieutenant-General Hla Min was responding to suggestions by Aung San Suu Kyi, the democracy leader, that the Burmese Army might oppose the dramatic changes introduced in the past year by President Thein Sein the reformist.
In the strongest sign so far of political liberalisation in the secretive armed forces General Hla Min insisted that the Army was fully behind Mr Thein Sein. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue, he said: “Our armed forces have never been mutinous. The armed forces support the President 100 per cent.”
Despite a career as a loyal servant of the junta, Mr Thein Sein has presided over dramatic political reforms in Burma. Ms Suu Kyi has entered parliament after an overwhelming victory for her party in by-elections in April.
Her goal is to change constitutional rules that guarantee the military 25 per cent of government seats.
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General Hla Min cautiously raised the possibility of military support for a constitutional change, while emphasising the historic role of the armed forces in Burmese politics.
“We need to take time,” he said. “In our history, [politics has] never been separate from the armed forces. But the 25 per cent [guaranteed parliamentary seats] in the constitution is not completely rigid. [It] could be changed in the future when it’s appropriate.”