Burma's New Govt Fails to Inspire

By KO HTWE Sunday, May 1, 2011

Rangoon's taxi drivers read a newspaper featuring a picture of newly-sworn in president Thein Sein. (Photo: Getty Images)

Burma's new “Union Government” may have been sworn in on Wednesday, but several leading members of opposition parties and ethnic armed groups are dubious that the civilian administration will provide the peace and democracy that the people of Burma seek.

In President Thein Sein's inaugural address to parliament on Wednesday, he urged all MPs “to cherish and protect at risk to life the constitution and the democratic nation to be built in line with the constitution.”

He also called on the entire nation to help build the Tatmadaw [Burma's army] into “a strong, efficient, modern and patriotic army.”

However, speaking to The Irrawaddy on Thursday, Win Tin, a leading member of the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD), said that the constitution was not in line with the wishes of the people.

“I cannot accept the Tatmadaw continuing to play a leading role in Burmese politics,” he said. “We [Thein Sein and I] are totally different in that I have no desire to protect the 2008 constitution.”

Thein Sein said his government will guarantee the rights of Burmese workers both inside and outside the country. He also said it will safeguard the rights of peasants by amending and revoking existing laws, and by adopting new resolutions as necessary to protect the fundamental human rights of Burma's citizens.

“What he said about the rights of farmers and workers is just rhetoric,” said Win Tin. “I'm sure it will raise eyebrows over at the ILO [International Labour Organization].”

The new government may be guaranteeing farmers' rights, but that won't stop the junta's companies from seizing land and jailing dissenters, he said.

However, NLD spokesman Nyan Win said that his party accepted the practical aspects of forming a new government, and said he hopes to be involved in talks with the government on the issue of national reconciliation.

“We accept the reality of the situation,” he said. “We will not criticize the new government simply because it came into effect based on the 2008 constitution which we disagree with.”

He said the NLD's desire to sit down at the negotiating table with the new government does not contradict the party's policy that called for a constitutional review.

Khin Maung Swe, one of the leading members of the National Democratic Front, also spoke to The Irrawaddy. He said that the the new president's speech carried both good and bad points. “However, one thing we can say for sure is that the junta has transfered power to a civilian government.”

Many parliamentary candidates have expressed frustration that they have not been kept appraised of many of the nation's most important affairs.

“The appointment of a new president is an important landmark in the country's history,” said an MP on condition of anonymity. “But the regime didn’t inform us about it. We only find out what's going on when we attend parliamentary sessions.”

Meanwhile, Shan State Army-South spokesman Sai Lao Hseng told The Irrawaddy on Thursday that the parliament has rejected a proposal to hold peace talks with the armed ethnic groups.

“The civil war will continue,” said Lao Hseng. “It is difficult for the new government to amend the 2008 constitution. And it does not represent the interests of the ethnic minorities.”

Speaking to The Irrawaddy on Thursday, Karen National Union Secretary-General Zipporah Sein said she believed nothing will change under the new government.

“We have never supported the 2008 constitution, the 2010 election or the 2011 government,” she said.

Many observers have said that the average person in Burma does not notice any difference in the political make-up of the country despite the fact that power has officially been transfered to a new civilian administration, and that all state/division level, district level, township level and ward/ village level offices of the previous ruling State Peace and Development Council have been closed and their administration dissolved under the orders of Burmese dictator Snr-Gen Than Shwe.

“I heard that Thein Sein has been appointed president, but I don't care!” said a taxi driver in Rangoon. “I'm still queuing for gasoline. Who cares about politics when you don't have enough money for food?”

A Rangoon businessman was also pessimistic. “We have been cheated again,” he said. “All those appointed to the new cabinet are close to the regime.”