Dissidents mull over National Accord rough

Politics

Dissidents mull over National Accord rough

The last session of the 3-day 4th State Constitutions Seminar, 14-16 August, was perceptibly dominated by the discussions on the drafting of a National Accord to counter Rangoon's charter guidelines, S.H.A.N. correspondent reports from the border:

"To design a lasting constitution, a set of guidelines honored by all is most essential", Thein Oo, Chairman of Federal Constitution Drafting Committee and elected representative from Mandalay, reminded the meeting attended by delegates from various state constitution drafting committees. "It is simply not enough to say the people disapprove the Six Objectives. It's time we make ourselves clear to the rest of the world."

"The National Accord, on adoption, must be a counter balance to the junta's Six Objectives, particularly the 6th (Participation of the military in the leading role of national politics in the future state)", he added.

Several participants seconded Thein Oo's motion. "Without a counter proposal, who's going to see the difference?" exclaimed a Mon delegate.

"We need to finalize everything before 2006 (when Burma assumes chair of the regional grouping, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, better known by its acronym, Asean)", urged another.

Groups that are still dallying with the idea of independent sovereign states also received advice to make up their minds.

"Our neighbors wish to know what our pick is, Independence or Federation," hinted one.

The 9-point draft of the National Accord includes the establishment of a federal union, multi-party democracy, protection of democratic and basic human rights, residual powers for the member states, concurrent powers between federal and state governments, bicameralism, equal power to both Houses, equal status between states and the union capital and adequate protection of indigenous and minority rights.

The constitution drafting movement by the dissidents began in 1993 under the auspices of the National Council of the Union of Burma, but the process was interrupted by the fall of Manerplaw, then the armed opposition's capital, in 1995. The movement was revived under the leadership of the late Chao Tzang Yawnghwe in 1998.

It is illegal for the people of Burma to draft or even discuss about the constitution.