Myanmar in 2007: A turning point in the "Roadmap"?

Asian Survey

Volumn 48, Issue 1, 2008, Pages 13-19

  Thawnghmung, Ardeth Maung ^a   Myoe, Maung Aung ^b  

^a UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS   (United States)

^b NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE   (Singapore)

Author keywords

Myanmar; Protests; Sanctions; SPDC; The seven step roadmap

Indexed keywords

ARMED FORCES; MILITARY GOVERNMENT; MILITARY INTERVENTION; PARTY POLITICS; PEACE PROCESS; PEACEKEEPING; POLITICAL CHANGE; POLITICAL VIOLENCE; POPULAR PROTEST;

MYANMAR;

EID: 49049087406     PISSN: 00044687     EISSN: 1533838X     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1525/as.2008.48.1.13     Document Type: Article

References (8)

1. The NLD is the main opposition, which won a landslide victory in the 1990 elections dishonored by the military junta.
2. The official account reveals that these organizations "failed to meet the prescribed guidelines for registration." Private sources, however, suggest the government's growing concerns over their actions, perceived to be "political" or a threat to the regime. Some, such as the Funeral Service Society and the Engineer Association, were later granted permission to register. However, Kyaw Thu, chairman of the Funeral Service Society and a popular actor who actively participated in the September anti-government demonstrations, was reportedly forced to resign.
3. Ceasefire groups are former ethnic armed resistance groups that signed ceasefire agreements with the government since the late 1980s.
4. Some estimates put the number of actual participants in the demonstration at around 40,000, with the rest being onlookers.
5. This is part of the seven-step roadmap to "disciplined democracy" developed in 2003 by General Khin Nyunt, one prominent junta leader who was ousted in 2004 on charges of economic crimes. The roadmap includes(1) reconvening the National Convention;(2) step by step implementation of the process necessary for the emergence of a genuine and disciplined democracy;(3) drafting of a new constitution in accordance with the basic principles laid down by the National Convention;(4) adoption of the Constitution through national referendum;(5)holding of free and fair elections for Pyithu Hluttaws (legislative bodies) according to the new Constitution;(6)convening of Hluttaws attended by Hluttaw members in accordance with the new Constitution;(7)building a modern, developed, and democratic nation by state leaders elected by the Hluttaw and the government and other central organs formed by the Hluttaw. The National Convention has been held on-and-off since 1993.
6. The Depayin Incident refers to government-sponsored violence against political campaigns organized by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her supporters in Depayin, Sagaing Division, in 2003. These measures resulted in the death of over 100 people and arrest of several dozens supporters, including the house arrest of Daw Suu Kyi.
7. Presidential Statement of the Security Council, S/PRST/2007/37, October 11, 2007.
8. "China, EU Officials Meet on Myanmar Issue," Xinhua News Agency, December 19, 2007.