The 2008 constitution was drawn based on 104 basic principles set in 1993. The Generals who unfairly set these rules are fifteen years older now. Many of the ageing generals can not be in active duty in the army anymore. Most of them are over the age limit bar of 60, long ago.

Time has changed. Situation and circumstances also have changed. Now, they could not be satisfied with what they have written long time ago. Although they do not like it, they are in no mood to admit their errors in the clauses written by them. When they wrote these rules, they knew too well that people would not accept it and they would proceed with their plan for election.

As 2010 fast approaching, they could not change the plan for now. Democratic forces in Burma have to realize that General Than Shwe himself does not like the present constitution either. When they show their dissent, they should be careful that the present constitution will get the old Generals caught in their own petard.

The Generals are over 60 or 70 years of age. One way or another they have to leave the army in the hands of next generation officers. They have vivid memory of how they had treated their boss General Ne Win when he gave up his power.

So the strategy has changed already, they do not want to see the future Chief of Staff of army to hold all powers and decide their fates. The democracy is in the wind, young officers who have international knowledge will remove all privileges they have in hand.

In these situations, there are several facts that have to be changed in the constitution from General Than Shwe’s point of view. Therefore, it is not only the democratic forces who like to revise the constitution, the Generals want to change it too. For instance, they do not want to see future army Chief of Staff above the Prime Minister and they do not want to see army Chief scrap the constitution again.

Their new plan is to finish up the election and install Government who will stay under their influence. The constitution assembly will be comprised of 75% of their cronies and minions. 25% is by law the present army chief will select. That left the NLD et.al  with 25% of people’s representatives.

What do they intend to achieve is

1)      The next government has to accept the prevailing situation positively. They had bad experience of taking over power from 26 years misrule of General Ne Win’s government. They are scarce to hear the same remarks from the new government.

2)       They will get full immunity from persecution for whatever had done during their rule. Their wealth will not be questioned or checked or taken away.

3)       The new government will prevent future changes to allow democratic forces to take over. They want to avoid Indonesian model.

If No. 3 happens, the army will stage another coup again: a situation they want to avoid.

With 75% majority under their control, they will modify the constitution as they wish. Their crooked power of cunning has no bound, as the country had witnessed under their misrule. Nobody can predict what General Than Shwe will do to achieve the goals above.

By highlighting the fact that General Than Shwe does not like the 2008 constitution as well as they do, NLD and democratic opposition should tone down their criticism about the flawed constitution. A door is open to go forward which does not guarantee the continued misuse of present Generals, I think they should follow suit.

All the indications are that General Than Shwe will accept the request of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi for a meeting, there would be many opportunities to come up. I do not pretend to say that NLD should give the blessing to the constitution , but election and constitutional government may not be a bad thing when moving forward. If a certain things is terribly wrong, you can raise your voice at the assembly. The government can be voted out regularly at a certain time frame hopefully. As much needed projects like to supply electricity and water could be initiated.

But let’s see a scenario, an election is called for, a new government is formed with Prime Minister  U Aung Thaung , a corrupt and thuggish minister of Industry one. Can 25% of people’s representative avoid it from happening?

The answer is No for now but you have an assembly with 25% of your voices. They might be able to avoid , the economic overrun by Daw Kyaing Kyaing and Company,. They should be able to avoid people terrorized by the grandson of present dictator.

That will be a starting point for a democratic Burma anyway.