By Jonathan Head
BBC News, Bangkok
March 6, 2008 - The UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari is due to arrive in Burma for his third visit since September's suppressed mass anti-government protests.
He arrives a month after the junta's surprise announcement of plans to hold a referendum on a new constitution in May and democratic elections by 2010.
The proposals have been condemned as a sham by opposition groups.
Mr Gambari is expected to press the government to make the constitutional drafting process more inclusive.
The generals will no doubt present their new plans to Mr Gambari as evidence they are moving towards a restoration of democratic rule.
'Politely ignored'
But opposition groups have said the proposals will in practice leave the military in power.
Under the proposed constitution, 25% of the seats in the new parliament are reserved for armed forces personnel.
The head of state must have military experience - and the charter specifically bars the main opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from holding office, because she was married to a foreigner.
Merely criticising either the constitution or the referendum is a crime punishable by up to 20 years in jail.
Mr Gambari has already urged the government to consult more widely, and to release Ms Suu Kyi, to make the process more credible.
He says he will repeat those demands during this visit, but there is now little time left to persuade the junta to change course.
And with the international community still divided over how to respond to the intransigence of the generals, his pleas are once again likely to be given a polite hearing, and then ignored.
No comments:
Post a Comment
I learned from the Masters of Pretence to disclose comments and or information that support own's cause only.
If you would like your comment approved, please choose your thoughtful words supporting Freedom and Democracy. thanks from the bottom of my heart. :)))