Tatmadaw against armed take-over of power: favors administration according to law

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing shakes hands with Ambassador of

France H.E Mr. Thierry MATHOU

Nay Pyi Taw, 24 July

The Tatmadaw is against the armed take-over of power. Peace and stability must be maintained only in accord with the law. There are administrative bodies for ensuring peace and stability. 

There are also law enforcement bodies like courts and police force to support the administrative bodies. In the next level, there are institutions with more capability, and our only wish is to administer the country in accord with the law, noted Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing in answering the questions asked by Ambassador of France to Myanmar H.E Mr. Thierry MATHOU in connection with his view on the flourishing of democracy in future Myanmar.

The Senior General received the French ambassador who has completed his tour of duties in Myanmar at Zeyathiri villa here at 9.30 am today.

Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win, and senior military officers of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief were also present.

The cordial discussions were centred on further promotion of relations between the two Armed Forces in all possible areas, reforms in Myanmar and the role of Tatmadaw in the coming general elections and other matters including visits of the top-level Tatmadaw officers, trainings, and the appointment of military attaches. The Senior General responded to the questions of the ambassador.

Concerning the flourishing of democracy in future Myanmar the Senior General said, the course of history has experienced the problem of internal insurgency. The nation is not stable yet until now. The Tatmadaw has to take into account the political stability, security stability and political guarantee. The political leader of the country must be firm. There must also be collective support for ensuring firm action. And it must be a correct support. There must be a guarantee for national peace and stability, and it is important. The countries and organizations backing the work of solving the ethnic armed conflicts and ensuring political stability should have a correct view on the Tatmadaw. If there are such guarantees, the Tatmadaw’s role will be in accord with the amended constitution. At that time, constitutional amendments must be made. So, I have already said that constitution will have to be amended one day, but the time is not ripe yet. The soonest restoration of national peace and stability is the wish of Tatmadaw.

In connection with opinion on the future president, he said, the current president selection system is not through the direct elections. The representative group of Pyithu Hluttaw, the representative group of Amyotha Hluttaw and the representative group of the Hluttaw members of the Tatmadaw on behalf of the people choose the president. The president must be a person who wins the support and recognition of the people and who meets the relevant qualifications. During the period from 1948 the year in which independence was regained to 1962, the country faced outside interferences in all its political, economic and administrative sectors. People had to suffer from those interferences. The emergence of Caretaker Government in 1958 and the Revolutionary Council in 1962 are the results of those situations which are the historical lessons. It is important to prevent the recurrence of such situations. Not only the President, but also all the persons who are shouldering important duties of the state should have such relevant qualifications. It is my sincere wish.

After the call, the Senior General presented a plaque as a souvenir to the ambassador. French Ambassador H.E Mr. Thierry MATHOU who started his tour of duties in Myanmar on 23 May 2011 will leave for home after the completion of his mission in August this year.

The Myawady Daily, Page(18)

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