YANGON – Burma’s Aung San Suu Kyi met President Thein Sein yesterday, the first meeting between the two and the latest olive branch from the army-backed regime that came to power this year after five decades of direct military rule.
Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize winner who spent 15 years in detention under the former military rulers for spearheading Burma’s campaign for democracy, flew to the capital, Naypyitaw and meet the president, formerly a top general in the military regime, at his palace. “Thein Sein cordially explained the activities the government had been carrying out for the interest of the people and the country,” state- controlled MRTV said in its evening news bulletin.
“It is learnt that the president and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi discussed in a very cordial and friendly atmosphere the possibilities of co-operating, after setting aside the differences in opinions, in matters of common interests that will really benefit the country and the people.” Independent media were not permitted to attend the meeting. – (Reuters)