Burmese Junta Announces “Election” Date
June 10, 2010
By: Randi Zung

On June 9, United States Senator Jim Webb announced that the Burmese junta is likely to schedule their controversial and long awaited election for October 10, 2010.  Although there has been no official statement from the junta, the significance of the date, “10-10-10,” is said to be linked to Burmese generals’ fixation on numerology.  Webb, who is a leading advocate for engagement with the junta, urged support for the election despite the junta’s blatant repression of democratic reforms, AFP reported.  Although Webb has acknowledged that the upcoming election is a front for the junta to remain in power, he said it was important to “build the future a step at a time.”

According to the Democratic Voice of Burma, a former National League for Democracy (NLD) senior member warned Webb – who last visited in August 2009 – that he would not be welcomed on another diplomatic visit.  During his trip last August, Webb met with both junta leader General Than Shwe and detained NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi.  The NLD formally disbanded in May 2010, after refusing to register as a political party in order to protest the junta’s undemocratic election reforms. The Burmese regime originally came to power in 1962.

For previous news on Burma, please see:
Burma’s Main Opposition Party Dissolves in Protest of Harsh Election Laws

Sources:

www.ccd21.org