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           Burma President Affirms Slowly Declining Role for Military

   Burmese President Thein Sein says his country`s military has a vital
   but slowly decreasing role to play as Burma, also known as Myanmar,
   transitions to a democracy.
   In a speech marking his third year in office, he told parliament
   Wednesday that the country is at a critical juncture and still needs
   the military to play an important part.
   "We have to balance democratic maturity with the development of local
   peace to decrease the role of [the army] gradually."
   He also urged those who want to amend the 2008 constitution to do so in
   a lawful manner.
   However, opposition politicians and rights activists have criticized
   the slow pace of the reform process, such as peace efforts with ethnic
   rebel groups and enacting constitutional amendments.
   Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who is leading the push for
   constitutional amendments, said Wednesday that disagreements over
   reforms should be settled through dialogue.
   "Whenever there is disagreement in politics it does not mean that we
   are in crisis. As I do not want any kind of crisis among us. I have
   been repeatedly requesting a dialogue to talk about it. Of course there
   are public protests from both sides to express their democratic rights
   naturally. That`s why we do need to hold dialogue with four parties."
   The Nobel Laureate is seeking talks between herself, Thein Sein,
   Parliament Chairman Thura Shwe Mann and Military Chief of Staff Min
   Aung Hlaing.
   Political analyst Bo Bo Kyaw Nyein told VOA`s Burmese service that one
   area of needed reform is making the role of the military more
   transparent.
   "We need to clarify whether Burmese military controlled the entire
   Nation or is the military under the guidance of the government, which
   was elected by the people."
   Burma has been widely praised for making progress since Thein Sein, a
   former general, came to power in 2011 and ended decades of military
   dictatorship. While many countries have lifted sanctions against Burma,
   the United States and others continue to pressure the government to
   increase the pace of reforms.
   (This report was produced in collaboration with the VOA Burmese
   service.)
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/burma-president-affirms-slowly-declining-role-for-military/1879854.html