Myanmar constitutional talks

A constitutional convention in Myanmar on Monday produced a set of charter guidelines that guaranteed the military's continued dominance.  The guidelines were the first step on what the ruling military junta describes as a "road map to democracy."  Six more steps are to lead to a constitutional referendum and an election. 

The charter, however, ensures that the military, which has ruled the country formerly known as Burma since 1962, will remain dominant.  Under the guidelines, the military will control key ministries, hold large blocks of unelected seats in all legislative bodies, and have the right to declare a state of emergency and seize power at any time (severely limiting the rights of political parties).

Western nations have criticized the convention as an undemocratic show designed to produce undemocratic constitution.  President Bush has accused Myanmar's military rulers of tyrannical behavior.  In a sign of opposition and discontent, the convention ended with an eruption of street protests.

Myanmar has had no constitution since its 1974 charter was revoked when the current junta seized power after crushing a pro-democracy uprising and causing the deaths of thousands of people.  Thousands of opponents of the government have been arrested since the junta seized power.  According to Amnesty International, more than 150 people have been detained since mid-August when activists began protests against an increase in fuel prices.

For more information, please see:

-http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/09/03/asia/myanmar.php

-http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601080&sid=ajCnja3y.nuM&refer=asia

-http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/09/05/2024986.htm

-http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jI3ktf3N99TyFLbAm5kLfri8n-oQ

-http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/04/world/asia/04myanmar.html?ref=asia