BURMA:Military rulers in Burma (Myanmar) formally concluded a 14-year-long constitution-drafting convention yesterday, laying the foundation for a new charter intended to create the appearance of a more democratic system while still preserving military control.
The so-called "National Convention" - which began in 1993, was suspended in 1996 and resumed in 2004 - was charged with the task of laying out "basic detailed principles" for a new system of governance for Burma, ruled for years by a repressive military junta.
The generals say they want to establish a "disciplined democracy" appropriate for Burma's multi-ethnic society, which has been plagued since its independence from Britain by armed conflict between the central government and ethnic minority militias demanding greater autonomy.
However, analysts say the constitution looks set to enshrine military dominance over public life, while offering few concessions to the minorities, most of which agreed to temporary ceasefire deals in the 1990s.
"As far as democracy is concerned, the big change will be that the generals will wear suits instead of uniforms," said Mark Farmaner, the acting director of Burma Campaign UK, an activist group, yesterday.
Western governments have long dismissed the constitution-drafting convention, which was boycotted by the opposition National League for Democracy of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, as a stage-managed sham aimed at deflecting international pressure for more substantive political change.
According to the guidelines, 25 per cent of the seats in parliament will be reserved for military appointees. Ms Suu Kyi, under house arrest for about 12 of the past 18 years, would be barred from holding elected office. The regime rebuffed demands for official recognition of ethnic minority languages and for transferring political power to elected state assemblies in ethnic minority border regions.
Frustrated at their failure to wrest any real concessions, ethnic militia leaders are said to be reassessing their options and buying new weapons. However, some Burmese hope the new constitution will lead to better governance and be the start of a gradual political opening.