Myanmar PM says new charter not for military’s gain
Apr 6th, 2008
AFP news
Sun Apr 6, 2008
YANGON (AFP) – Myanmar’s prime minister said next month’s referendum on a new constitution, which gives sweeping powers to the armed forces, was not designed to benefit the military, state media said Sunday.
“The referendum is not for one person, the Tatmadaw (the military), one party and one association, but for seeking unanimous approval for a constitution,” the prime minister, General Thein Sein, said.
He told the official New Light of Myanmar newspaper the proposed basic law “is instrumental for building a new democratic nation that people long for.”
“The emergence of the state constitution is the duty of all citizens of Myanmar,” he added.
Myanmar, ruled by the military since 1962, has been without a constitution since the current junta seized power after crushing a pro-democracy uprising in 1988.
The regime says the new charter will pave the way for democratic elections in 2010, but it would bar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from running.
The Nobel peace prize winner, who has been under house arrest for 12 of the last 18 years, led her National League for Democracy (NLD) party to a landslide victory in 1990 elections, but was never allowed to take office.
The new constitution would also reserve about 25 percent of the parliamentary seats for serving soldiers, while giving the military sweeping powers to declare a state of emergency and seize direct control of the government.
The NLD and other democracy activists are urging voters to reject the constitution, which has not been released for public review.
April 9th, 2008 at 7:52 am
Thein Sein,
Why are you still ‘lying’ ?
People know what is in your ‘constitution’.
They are not STUPID like you, a mongrel which knows only to bark and bite.
Please clearly cite if there is anything good for the people or anything seemingly democratic, in your constitution.
Even a child who can read Burmese knows what your constitution holds.
You say the charter will pave the way for democratic elections in 2010, and still cited that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is barred from contesting in the elections. What a joke soldier boy?
Another point to chuckle or rather laugh out loud, for us is the mention of 25% of the parliamentary seats reserved for active duty military officers and the military monopolising of powers – declare state of emergency and taking direct control of government and others.
And who would guarantee that the military regime would hand over power to the NLD or any party other than a military backed one wins the 2010 elections.
Also, who would swear (sincerely or under oath) that the military regime would not rig or manipulate the 2010 elections to its own liking.
To sum it short there are uncountable IFS for Thein Sein and his thugs, including Than Shwe to answer for.
Thein Sein, you can’t ‘con’ the people this time!
I say, to HELL WITH YOUR REFERENDUM and YOU GUYS!
The people will altogether stay away from polling
or
They will only give you guys a big NO vote, trust me!