The final round of meetings on the new constitution, under discussion since 1993, has begun before it is put to a public vote. But the military will retain decisive power.

Yangoon (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Myanmar's military rulers have opened their final round of constitutional talks. More than 1,000 hand-picked delegates will complete the consultation exercise within two months but democracy advocates say will ensure the junta remains in control of the government.  Yesterday Kyaw Hsan, Myanmar's information minister, said that a referendum on the country's new charter would be held "not very long" after the constitution is drafted, followed by national elections.

Thein Sein, the acting prime minister, said the “final round” will discuss elections, political parties, emergency provisions and procedures for constitutional amendments.

The talks resumed without the country's leading opposition party, the National League for Democracy (Nld), who 17 years ago dominated the last free elections.  The military refused to allow them form a government and their leader Aung San Suu Kyi has spent the last 12 of the 17 years under house arrest, prolonged for another year May last. Thein Nyunt, a party spokesman, said they have been sending proposals to the authorities and the public “We will release our opinion on the constitution when the time comes”.

Western governments maintain that without the participation of Suu Kyi, who won the nations last democratic vote immediately before her arrest, these negotiations are merely a cover-up for the military junta to maintain power, officially sealing the military’s dominant role in politics through a reserve of 25% of parliament seats and key ministries.  Moreover it will allow for the chief of the armed forces to declare a “state of emergency” without government approval.

Brad Adams, Asia director of Human Rights Watch, said in a statement the generals have trumpeted the convention as a vehicle for a return to civilian rule and the rule of law.  He says “They have engineered the outcome to ensure the military remains in control and excluded the people of Burma from the process”.

The military junta, in power since 1962, first began the constitutional reform in 1993.

 

• BURMA
• MYANMAR
• MILITARY
• JUNTA
• DEMOCRATIC
• REFORM
• SUU
• KYI
• CONSTITUTION
• NATIONAL
• LEAGUE
• FOR
• DEMOCARCY