Responses to the SPDC’s “democracy road map” : U Htein Linn, the ex-chief editor of ‘Botahtaung’ newspaper

DVB ( September 1, 2003 )

U Htein Linn : I haven’t listened to the speech of General Khin Nyunt yet. I have heard that he is going to reconvene the National Convention. Secondly, they are going to draft a constitution. Thirdly, they are going to hold a new election. But there is no mention of when and how they are going to implement these plans.

DVB : Shouldn’t they release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD leaders first if they do that? What are your views?

U Htein Linn : We have political problems in Burma. They are the tension between democracy activists and the military junta. The situation is worse after the Dipeyin incident. In order to solve these problems, they have to recognise Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD. Primarily, they have to release them. Only then, would things be logical. Your policies can’t be bilateral if you keep on tying up and gagging your opposition.

DVB : If the NLD is not attending the National Convention, what should the constitution be like?

U Htein Linn : To draft a new constitution you need to reconvene the National convention. How are you going to reconvene it? It is not easy to draft a new constitution without consulting the NLD MPs who were elected by the people. Think about it. They could draft a constitution on their own without the participation of the elected members but how are they going to ratify the constitution? There are two ways to ratify a constitution. First, the one in 1947 by General Aung San and others in which they convened a national convention and drafted a constitution. Then, the delegates ratified the constitution and held an election accordingly. Secondly, in 1974, General Ne Win held a ‘referendum’ and ratified the constitution. This method is done in one party states and dictatorial systems. In democratic countries, the elected MPs ratify the constitution. For the current military junta to choose one of the methods and it would not be easy to convene a national convention to ratify the constitution. It would not be easy for the existing NLD MPs to ratify it. Secondly, the people will feel that their votes in 1990 election are useless if they are to take part in this referendum. The people have faith in their own dignity. The government that holds an election have to think. It is very difficult to annul the previous election and hold a new one. The 1990 election was organised by the military government. If you annul the result of that election, the dignity and tradition of the army would be severely damaged.

DVB : Do you think that the country is heading for a better future?

U Htein Linn : The people have high hopes in General Khin Nyunt when he became the new PM. But what they have heard from him is the opposite of what they are hoping.

DVB : The international observers are saying that they don’t expect too much from this event.

U Htein Linn : They could be right because they have calculated the event properly.