Economics
UN’s Ban to Address Myanmar Parliament With Suu Kyi’s Seat Empty
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When United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon becomes the first world leader to address Myanmar’s year-old parliament today there will be a notable absentee: Aung San Suu Kyi.
The refusal of Myanmar’s most famous dissident to take an oath to “safeguard” the constitution after winning a seat in by-elections this month puts Ban in the middle of an impasse between her and President Thein Sein, the retired general behind the country’s awakening from five decades of isolation. Suu Kyi wants the oath changed to say lawmakers will “respect” the constitution, which guarantees the military 25 percent of seats, according to her party’s spokesman.