"Without conciliation process, no election can solve'
Now, Than Shwe is attempting to legalize his military autocracy with a sham Constitution and multiparty elections. Most people see the junta's 2008 Constitution and the 2010 elections as a challenge against the will of the people of Burma. The recent political party registration law makes obvious that the junta's 2010 elections do not guarantee even an article of basic human rights.
Burmese people are disappointed with Mr. Surin Pitsuwan, the head of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), who hails the military-monopolized elections taking shape to elongate the military's grip on power. His stance seems encouraging toward high-handed manners of the generals in Burma.
The Burmese population feels it is time for Mr. Ban to raise this half-century-long political conflict in the U.N. Security Council. They look forward to a global arms embargo against Burma's military junta, and an investigation into crimes against humanity and war crimes committed by the military regime. By using such effectual pressure, the U.N. Security Council ought to pressure the Burmese Generals up to the dialogue table in pursuit of national reconciliation. Without having a conciliation process, no election can solve the question of Burma.
Apart from the sympathy of the international community, the question now is how the opposition parties, especially the National League for Democracy (NLD), will go ahead in the course of the barbed wire blockage or the insincere registration law.
To some NLD youths in Burma, the party depends on the people's support. Although the junta gets in the way, it should flex its muscles in defiance of the military autocracy. It's time to show its political power by defying the undemocratic political weather conditions.
Zin Linn: The author, a freelance Burmese journalist, lives in exile. He is vice-president of Burma Media Association, which is affiliated with the Paris-based Reporters Sans Frontiers.
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