Now you know where I stand on these Boston Globe offerings:
"Myanmar’s junta sets an election date" by Associated Press | August 14, 2010
YANGON, Myanmar — Myanmar’s ruling junta set Nov. 7 as the date for the country’s first election in two decades, but made no concessions to critics who say the rules favor the army and its allies and bar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from taking part.
The announcement renewed international calls for urgent changes allowing a free-and-fair vote. Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy already announced it was boycotting the polls and other parties are wary of participating.
Who cares?
Yesterday’s brief election date announcement by the Election Commission was carried on state TV and radio.
“Multiparty general elections for the country’s parliament will be held on Sunday Nov. 7,’’ said the announcement.
The elections are part of the junta’s “roadmap to democracy,’’ a seven-step program which it says will shift the nation from almost 50 years of military rule in Myanmar, also known as Burma. But critics say the rules and army-guided constitution are meant to perpetuate the military’s commanding role in politics.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon yesterday called on Myanmar’s authorities to release all remaining political prisoners, including Suu Kyi.The CIA's candidate.
--more--"
"Myanmar issues tough campaign rules" by Associated Press | August 20, 2010
YANGON, Myanmar — Myanmar yesterday published stringent rules for November’s general election....
The disbanded party of detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, dissolved for declining to register with the authorities, meanwhile officially declared its boycott of the upcoming polls....
The vote will be the first in impoverished Myanmar, formerly Burma, in two decades....
The junta has billed the election as the key transitional step from five decades of military rule to civilian government. Critics say a military-initiated constitution, along with repression of the opposition, ensures the army will continue to hold commanding influence even after the polls.
Like any state or nation really.
Many Western governments and human right groups agree that the process is unfair and seek changes to ensure free and fair polls....
Why don't you worry about your own stinking elections instead?
