Burma - National Convention Reconvenes

Burma's military regime reconvened its National Convention to draft a constitution on December 5. As currently constituted, the Convention provides neither a credible political process leading toward a more representative government nor a means for the genuine national reconciliation the people of Burma deserve. It lacks the legitimacy necessary to draft a constitution that is truly representative of the Burmese people. The Convention includes only delegates hand-picked by the regime, prohibits free and open debate on crucial issues, and continues to exclude Burma's democratic opposition and key ethnic minority groups.

Unless the Convention becomes genuinely inclusive and credible, it will only serve the narrow interests of the same leaders who have driven Burma steadily in the wrong direction. Absent political change, the situation in Burma is likely to continue to deteriorate. The cross-border problems fueled by worsening conditions can only have an increasingly negative impact on Burma's neighbors and the entire Southeast Asia region.

The U.S. reiterates its calls on the Burmese regime to release Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners immediately and unconditionally, and to initiate a meaningful dialogue with the democratic opposition and ethnic minority political groups leading to genuine national reconciliation. These actions would be a first step in addressing Burma's deteriorating internal situation and promote greater regional stability.

2005/1133