BURMA: Hopes that mounting international pressure might encourage Burma's hardline military government to allow for a more open process at its constitution-drafting convention have been dashed, say pro-democracy advocates observing the event.
The regime-inspired National Convention, charged with drawing up a democratic constitution ahead of the first "free and fair" elections since the results of the 1990 election were cancelled, has been sitting behind closed doors at a purpose-built facility north of Rangoon.
"We were hoping that the regime might respond positively to international pressure and allow for a more open debate, but that has not happened," said Soe Aung of the National Council of the Union of Burma, an umbrella organisation representing 30 Burmese pro-democracy groups.
Burma has come under sustained pressure from the EU and the US, as well as from its partners in the Association of South East Asian Nations, speedily to introduce reforms leading to genuine multiparty democracy.
But far from bringing out the best in the generals, the increased pressure seems to be having the opposite effect.
"Like a cornered rat, the regime is going for the jugular," said Debbie Stothard, co-ordinator of the Alternative Asean Network on Burma, a pro-democracy group based in Bangkok.
According to well-placed sources, the government has threatened a military crackdown against those states whose delegates refuse to rubber-stamp the regime's dictates in relation to the new constitution.
The regime is demanding that any new constitution permanently award the key defence, security and border control portfolios to the military as well as guaranteeing the army 25 per cent of seats in a new parliament.
In addition, the government insists that the new constitution exclude anyone from standing for parliament who has not lived permanently in Burma for the past 25 years, or who has foreign-born spouses or children. That includes Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the popular National League for Democracy, as well as the many exiled opponents of the regime.
The generals appear determined to force through a new "democratic" constitution at the National Convention which they hope will provide them with the veneer of legitimacy and secure their long-term survival.
But without the participation of the league, which won more than 80 per cent of the vote in the last election, and without the legitimate support of many of the ethnic groups, those hopes seem like wishful thinking.
Reuters adds: Foot-dragging by Burma's military rulers in moving towards democracy has damaged stability across southeast Asia, Indonesia's foreign minister said yesterday.