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Burma: Junta Sideline Aung San Suu Kyi
Press Release: Terry Evans
4 December
Burma: Junta
Sideline Aung San Suu Kyi
The Burmese generals have
announced that Aung San Suu Kyi's party will not play a part
in drafting the long-awaited new constitution.
At a rare a press conference held yesterday, the junta's Information Minister, Kyaw Hsan, said the military-appointed panel did not need outside help in drafting the new constitution. The Burmese generals have spent the last 14 years dragging out the so-called "Seven Stage Path to Democracy". Those brave enough in Burma to challenge the military about the reform process have been sentenced to long jail terms.
This was the first time the junta has fronted since the anti-regime protests of September. The Information Minister used the opportunity to dismiss the protests, blaming them on "bogus" monks and foreign based dissidents.
Yesterday's comments have drawn strong criticism from Western governments and human rights groups.
ENDS
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