Myanmar Military to Hand over Power in 2010: Than Shwe

2008-03-27 10:54:27 [ Big Normal Small ]    　Comment

Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Defense Services Senior-General Than Shwe said Thursday that the military would be able to hand over power to a civilian government after general election in 2010 in accordance with a new state constitution if emerged in a national referendum slated for May this year.

Than Shwe, who is also Chairman of the ruling State Peace and Development Council, made the remarks while addressing an over-13, 000-strong military parade in the new capital of Nay Pyi Taw in the morning to mark the country's 63rd anniversary Armed Forces Day.

It was the third year that a military parade was sponsored in the new capital since Myanmar's administrative capital was moved from Yangon in November 2005.

Than Shwe said the country is marching on a seven-step roadmap to democracy correctly and timely, and good infrastructures of the state have been built as much as possible.

He urged the people to cooperate hand-in-hand with the government and the armed forces to undertake the historic task successfully, while also calling for crushing internal and external destructive elements attempting to disintegrate the union.

He pointed out that today's state stability is the best and people are generally leading a peaceful life.

He elaborated some major achievements gained throughout the tenure of the military government since the take-over of power in 1988.

Myanmar is committed to heading for a nationwide constitutional referendum which has been set for May this year to pave the way for a general election slated for 2010 under the government's seven-step roadmap to transform the military administration into a civil one.

With specific date yet to be designated for the forthcoming referendum, the constitution draft, completed by the government- formed State Constitution Drafting Commission (SCDC) on Feb. 19, will seek public approval in the referendum.

The ruling Myanmar military government enacted on Feb. 26 a 12- chapter 31-provision 2008 Republic of Union of Myanmar Referendum Law and set up a commission for a nationwide constitutional referendum following the completion of the constitution draft.

The government's seven-point political roadmap to democracy, announced in August 2003, was outlined as reconvening the long- suspended national convention to draw up a new constitution as the first step, followed by undergoing a national referendum on draft of the constitution, holding a general election to produce parliament representatives and forming a new democratic government.

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