| May 10, 2008, the anticipated date for the | | | | It's not surprising that in Mae Sot, Thailand, the |
| referendum regarding the "New Burmese | | | | Forum of Strategic Consult, which gathers all the |
| Constitution" might be just the premiere of a | | | | democratic organizations of Burma, has promoted |
| show that will to mix with tragedy with farce. | | | | a general agitation to encourage the people to |
| To this day there is still no official text for the | | | | vote "no" to the referendum. According to the |
| Constitution which the population will be called to | | | | projections of international observers, the great |
| vote on. The only published version, which is not | | | | majority of the population would vote "no." Last |
| even the definitive version, is being sold at a price | | | | 26 February, the same military dictatorship that in |
| of 1000 Kyat, which no Burmese working family | | | | 1990 completely ignored the results of the |
| can afford. So much for the "ongoing free | | | | elections, which had been won by the democratic |
| discussion." | | | | NLD party, launched a law that decrees that |
| A first version of the document stipulated that | | | | anyone who interferes with the voting process |
| any changes to the constitution itself would need | | | | will be arrested. |
| the support of 75% of the Parliament and more | | | | Democratic Voice of Burma has published an |
| than half of voters. This signifies that changes will | | | | article according to which "in virtue of this law, |
| be highly improbable without the approval of the | | | | religious people from any creed, to whom the |
| military regime, given that 25 seats are already | | | | right to vote is not recognized, will not be able to |
| guaranteed to them. Later the military junta | | | | express their ideas: Christians, Muslims, above all |
| stated that there was a "typographical error" in | | | | Buddhist Monks, who inspired last November's |
| that portion of the Constitution and that the | | | | rebellions" as well as political prisoners, people |
| "correct" version states that any amendments will | | | | detained for any crime whatsoever and citizens |
| need to be approved by all eligible voters - | | | | who are "illegally" abroad |
| thoroughly eliminating any chance of future | | | | (continue)... |
| modifications to the constitution. | | | | |