Junta to make propaganda film on draft constitution

Mizzima News

March 11, 2008 - Burma's Information Ministry is toying with the idea of making a propaganda film on the process of drafting the constitution, which will enshrine the military's role in Burma's future, a reliable source said.

Several prominent Burmese film stars are likely to play the characters, and the junta is trying to find actors and actresses to star in the film. The movie will reflect the junta's stand and obduracy in rejecting suggestions by the international community.

While it is still not clear who will direct and star in the movie, sources in the Burmese film industry explained the obvious script of the film.

The film, apparently, will be circulated among villagers of a typical Burmese village, which has no chiefs for a period of time. The villagers, however, found themselves being intruded upon by neighbouring villages, when they plan to choose a Chief to rule over them.

Despite advices and suggestions by neighbouring villagers on how they should chose their Chiefs and the criteria they set for a Chief, the villagers have their own way in choosing their chief.

While the film has no direct mention of the referendum and its draft constitution, it draws parallels with the junta's constitution, which was drafted by the junta with its hand-picked delegates. The junta in its draft constitution has ensured that the military automatically obtains 25 percent of seats in parliament, allowing the military and its back-ups to be included at the decision making level in all ministries.

The constitution further draws a line for the civilian government not to interfere in military expenditure but keeps a provision for the military to stage a coup anytime it deems necessary.

"The crux of the movie is that the villagers are saying 'this is our village, and we will choose in whatever way we want'. And the military is saying the same 'this is the country I am ruling, and I will rule as I like," a source in the Burmese film industry said.

Sources said, the film will be completed in March and will be aired in May by state-owned televisions – Myanmar TV and Myawaddy.

Burma's ruling junta has rejected the United Nations suggestions to implement a process of national reconciliation by kicking starting a tripartite dialogue, where the military, the Burmese opposition led by detained Nobel peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and leaders of ethnic nationalities should participate.

The junta, besides rejecting the international community's suggestions, has announced that it will hold a referendum on its draft constitution in May and general elections in 2010 as part of its planned roadmap to democracy.

Despite an overwhelming victory by Burma's opposition party – the National League for Democracy – in the last general elections in 1990, the ruling junta has refused to honour the results and has prolonged its rule.