Western Powers Dismiss Myanmar Election As Fraud

[george]

Western powers dismiss Myanmar election as fraud

PARIS, November 7, 2010 (AFP) - Western powers dismissed Myanmar's first election in 20 years Sunday, denouncing it as rigged even before voting in the military-ruled nation had been completed.

With democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi still locked up and two pro-junta parties fielding about two-thirds of the total candidates, world leaders rejected the legitimacy of the poll in a broadside of statements.

US President Barack Obama set the tone in comments from Mumbai, during the second day of his visit to India.

"There are elections that are being held right now in Burma, that will be anything but free and fair," Obama told a town-hall meeting with students there.

"For too long the people of Burma have been denied the right to determine their own destiny," he added, using the former name of the country.

And in a statement released later Sunday he renewed a call to the military regime there to "free Aung San Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners immediately and unconditionally."

The European Union's foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton also dismissed the election and called for the release of political prisoners.

"Many aspects of these elections are not compatible with internationally accepted standards, notably in the bias against most opposition parties -- such as the NLD -- and their candidates..." said Ashton.

The NLD is Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy, which decided to boycott the election, though other opposition groups have taken part.

"In this context, the EU repeats its call for the unconditional release of all those detained for their political convictions," said Ashton.

Suu Kyi was under house arrest "on entirely spurious grounds," she added.

Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague was equally dismissive of the elections.

"We know the result of these elections is already a foregone conclusion. They will not be free, fair or inclusive," Hague said in a statement released from London.

"Holding flawed elections does not represent progress," he said.

"For the people of Burma, it will mean the return to power of a brutal regime that has pillaged the nation’s resources and overseen widespread human rights abuses, including arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, rape and torture," he said.

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said the rights of the opposition NLD and parties representing the country's ethnic minorities had not been respected in the run-up to the vote.

"I call on the Burmese authorities to sincerely commit to the path of dialogue with the whole of the opposition, and with the minorities," he said.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-11-08

[george]

Myanmar votes in rare election marred by fraud fears

YANGON, November 7, 2010 (AFP) - Myanmar voted Sunday in its first election in 20 years as complaints of intimidation reinforced fears the poll was a sham to create a facade of democracy after decades of iron-fisted military rule.

Democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi remained locked up for the vote and two pro-junta parties were together fielding about two-thirds of the total candidates, leaving the splintered opposition little chance of success.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Suu Kyi swept her party to power in 1990 but the result was never recognised by the ruling generals. She has been detained for most of the last 20 years and supported a boycott of Sunday's election.

US President Barack Obama said the vote would be "anything but free and fair", while Britain said the election would "mean the return to power of a brutal regime".

Yet while conditions for the vote have been widely criticised, some saw the poll as a small step towards democracy after almost five decades of autocratic rule, with opposition parties set to finally get a voice in parliament.

Despite the generals' unpopularity, their political proxy, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), was widely expected to win, helped by huge financial and campaigning advantages as well as a climate of fear.

In many constituencies the poll was a two-horse race between the USDP and the National Unity Party (NUP), which is the successor to late dictator Ne Win's party and also closely aligned with the military.

A quarter of the seats in the two-chamber national parliament and regional legislatures are reserved for military appointees whatever the outcome. It is unclear when the results will be announced.

Two opposition parties accused the USDP -- formed by ministers who retired from the military in April -- of illegally collecting advance ballots.

"My sense is that there were certainly cases of intimidation," said Britain's ambassador to Myanmar, Andrew Heyn, who expressed concern about the many anecdotal reports of advance voting irregularities.

"These votes are very open to abuses," he told AFP.

The National Democratic Force (NDF), created by former members of Suu Kyi's disbanded party, said some people had complained that they were told by the USDP there was no need to vote as their ballots had already been collected.

But NDF leader Khin Maung Swe said his party was optimistic about its prospects in those areas where it was standing, with queues forming at some polling stations.

"I think people wanted to vote as they haven't voted for a long time," he said.

More than 29 million people were eligible to vote but it was uncertain how many would actually cast ballots, with apathy and disillusionment widespread in the impoverished nation.

The junta refused to allow international monitors or foreign media into the country for the election, and local journalists faced strict restrictions on visiting polling stations unless on an official tour.

A Japanese journalist was detained in the southeastern border town of Myawaddy after entering illegally from Thailand, a government official said.

Tensions were also reported in the same town between state soldiers and rebel troops protesting at the election.

A simmering civil war has wracked parts of the country since independence in 1948 and observers say the state's determination to crush ethnic rebels appeared to have increased as elections loomed.

Voting was not held at all in some violence-wracked ethnic regions.

The intentions of junta chief Than Shwe remained shrouded in mystery. There has been speculation that he may step down as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, but few expect him to relinquish real power.

The junta has said that Suu Kyi may be freed after the poll, as it attempts to deflect a barrage of criticism. The 65-year-old is just one of about 2,200 political prisoners in the autocratic nation.

Obama urged Myanmar to free Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners "immediately and unconditionally".

The European Union said it a statement it regretted that the authorities "did not take the necessary steps to ensure a free, fair and inclusive electoral process".

It called for "a more inclusive phase, by allowing in particular representatives of all groups to participate in the political life of the country, and by releasing all political detainees".

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-11-08

[nisakiman]

Well let's admit it, did anyone expect anything other than a rigged election?

The military have been in power there for donkey's years. They're not about to relinquish that power any time soon.

[hanuman1]

Burma - an entire nation of people suppressed under tyrannical rule.

Iraq ten years ago - an entire nation of people suppressed under tyrannical rule.

The latter merits a full scale invasion and total regime change by outside forces. The former gets a couple of soundbites each time they hold a rigged election. Welcome to the world.

[def2708]

critisim is the best they can do , all those obama ,kouchner ,UN ,western power

why not sending the army ???

maybe not enough to take over there or maybe they took it all already

so who care about the people as there is nothing left...

it s like in africa,cambodia,rwanda,etc

YOU are all a shame,shame shame...

[yellow1red1]

wots up with all the NEGativity?;

at least they took a first step;

in two more blinks they will be as advanced and free as Thailand.. hahaha

just watch the dirty suits from the Global coroporations pour in now;

They don't have the high moral standards that World leaders adhere to HA

[yellow1red1]

Burma - an entire nation of people suppressed under tyrannical rule.

Iraq ten years ago - an entire nation of people suppressed under tyrannical rule.

The latter merits a full scale invasion and total regime change by outside forces. The former gets a couple of soundbites each time they hold a rigged election. Welcome to the world.

true strory

when the tidal wave hit Burma a couple of years back; thousands were dieing; there was a whole American fleet, by coincidence, in the area doing, guess what?, disaster relief exercises; They would not assist because they never got permission, even though a UN article gives permission to over ride sovergneity for such disasters.

ergo america only aids when they get permission, but invades with none? go figure (scratching head emoticon)

[george]

Top Republican urges Obama to get tough on Myanmar

WASHINGTON, November 7, 2010 (AFP) - The top Republican senator urged US President Barack Obama on Sunday to reject the "mockery" of Myanmar's first election in 20 years and renew his backing for democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi.

"Although the Burmese junta will trumpet the theater performed today as an election -- an exercise only the SPDC considers meaningful -- November 7, 2010 will be just another day in Burma marked by government oppression and hardship for its people," Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell said in a statement.

"I urge President Obama to renew his support for Aung San Suu Kyi and democratic forces within Burma and work to ensure that elements of the international community are not tempted to recognize this mockery of the democratic process."

Burma was the country's name before it was changed to Myanmar by the military junta.

McConnell spoke just days after Republicans routed Obama's fellow Democrats in mid-term elections to regain control of the House of Representatives and reduce the Democrats' majority in the Senate.

With Nobel Peace Prize winner Suu Kyi still under house arrest and two pro-junta parties fielding about two-thirds of the total candidates, Western powers earlier denounced Sunday's polls as rigged before voting had even been completed.

Obama, on a trip to Asia, said the vote would be "anything but free and fair," and renewed a call for the military regime to free Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners "immediately and unconditionally."

Suu Kyi, who led her party to victory in 1990 elections never recognized by the ruling generals, supported a boycott of Sunday's election.

US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry said the vote was "the culmination of a deeply flawed process and should not be considered legitimate."

"Despite its origins, this government does have an opportunity to bring change," the Massachusetts Democrat added, noting that Suu Kyi's house arrest was set to expire in a few days, and urging the junta to set her free, along with other opposition party members.

"The military's 'roadmap to democracy' will lead to a dead end if the government keeps its political opponents jailed and muzzled."

While conditions for the vote have been widely criticized, some saw the poll as a small step towards democracy after almost five decades of autocratic rule, with opposition parties set to finally get a voice in parliament.

Kerry said the United States "should stand ready to improve relations" if Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, breaks from its past policies.

"But make no mistake, this will require a government with new faces and new policies," he added.

Such a change would involve releasing political prisoners, easing media and speech restrictions, seeking ethnic reconciliation, abiding by international non-proliferation norms and providing for the Burmese people's needs, he said.

"The government's progress in achieving these benchmarks will demonstrate whether Burma is truly embarking on the path towards democracy and international legitimacy or whether it remains anchored to the failed policies of the past," he said.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-11-08

[george]

Myanmar misses democratic opportunity: Clinton

MELBOURNE, November 7, 2010 (AFP) - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Monday that Myanmar missed an opportunity to begin a transition to democracy and national reconciliation by holding "severely flawed" weekend elections.

Clinton said the Obama administration would still speak to the military leaders but maintain "rigorous sanctions" against them while they hold political prisoners, abuse human rights and ignore dialogue with the opposition.

Clinton's statement, issued in Australia while she wraps up a seven-country Asia tour, reinforced those President Barack Obama gave in India criticising the first elections in Myanmar for 20 years as neither free nor fair.

Both Obama, who was starting an Asia tour of his own, and Clinton renewed appeals for the release of Myanmar democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, along with all other political prisoners.

The British-educated Nobel Peace Prize winner Suu Kyi, who is strongly supported by the United States, led her party to victory in 1990 but the result was never recognised by the ruling generals.

She has been detained for most of the past 20 years and is supporting a boycott of the latest election.

Two pro-military parties are together fielding about two-thirds of the total candidates, leaving the splintered opposition with little chance of success.

"The generals who have ruled the country for the past 22 years missed an opportunity to begin genuine transition toward democratic governance and national reconciliation," Clinton said.

Washington was "deeply disappointed" with Sunday's elections where there were reports of intimidation and where foreign media and independent election observers were barred from monitoring them, she said.

"The electoral process was severely flawed, precluded an inclusive, level playing field, and repressed fundamental freedoms," said the chief US diplomat, who added that the vote was neither free nor fair.

In promising US support for the people of Myanmar who aspire to a peaceful and democratic future, she said the Obama administration would "pursue parallel strategies of pressure and principled engagement".

Those strategies amount to maintaining sanctions against the regime while being open to speak with the military junta about ending its repressive policies.

The US administration will work within international bodies like the United Nations and the Association of Southeast Asian nations "to pursue accountability and bring an end to human rights abuses", she said.

Calling Myanmar by its former name of Burma, she said the United States is committed to offering humanitarian assistance to those who need it in the impoverished southeast Asian country.

"Burma's leaders must come to realise -- after five decades of sustained internal conflict, economic mismanagement, and international pariah status -- that Burma needs a better way forward," she said.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-11-08

[katasyd]

why not sending the army ???

Because it would be another drawn out war that America would lose, much worse than Vietnam.

Also, too much money is being made by the Chinese in Myanmar, America will not step on China's toes since they practically boosted America through the economic crisis by buying many of the toxic debts.

Money talks and the world has a new superpower at the helm.

[moetownblues]

Burma - an entire nation of people suppressed under tyrannical rule.

Iraq ten years ago - an entire nation of people suppressed under tyrannical rule.

The latter merits a full scale invasion and total regime change by outside forces. The former gets a couple of soundbites each time they hold a rigged election. Welcome to the world.

That won't happen because there is nothing for the USA to gain. What natural resources does Burma have for the US. Nothing, zip, Nil. Human rights mean little to the US unless they can reap the spoils of war. Sadly Burma will plod along as a 3rd world country for another 100 yrs or so.

[Ulysses G.]

critisim is the best they can do , all those obama ,kouchner ,UN ,western power

why not sending the army ???

Because all the loons would just moan about it.

[webfact]

BURMA

Burma under state of emergency after election

Burma has been placed under a 90-day state of emergency after holding its first election in 20 years on Sunday, Radio New Zealand reported Monday.

The state of emergency prevents political gatherings and stops soldiers from leaving the military for three months.

Results of Sunday's election may not be known for a day or more, but at least one ethnic politician has apparently won a seat in Shan state, the ABC reports.

An opposition call for an election boycott seems to have had an impact, with some reports of voter turnout as low as 35% in some areas.

The ruling generals say the polls mark a transition to democratic civilian rule but critics say they are a sham.

The BBC reports most candidates were from two large parties linked to the military - the Union Solidarity and Development Party and the National Unity Party - while opposition and independent candidates faced obstacles to taking part and have complained of voter intimidation.

The National League for Democracy, the main opposition party led by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, boycotted the vote.

Observers say voting proceeded calmly, while opposition parties say it was manipulated. Foreign media and observers have been banned and getting reliable information is difficult.

Candidates supporting the military are expected to win the most seats.

-- The Nation 2010-11-08

[gwynt]

Burma - an entire nation of people suppressed under tyrannical rule.

Iraq ten years ago - an entire nation of people suppressed under tyrannical rule.

The latter merits a full scale invasion and total regime change by outside forces. The former gets a couple of soundbites each time they hold a rigged election. Welcome to the world.

Let's consider that, why should there be a different approach??

Oh yes there are no massive oil reserves in Burma

[Boater]

No surprise there then

[chainarong]

Just another despot mob of crap, aligned with China.

[Johpa]

Burma - an entire nation of people suppressed under tyrannical rule.

Iraq ten years ago - an entire nation of people suppressed under tyrannical rule.

The latter merits a full scale invasion and total regime change by outside forces. The former gets a couple of soundbites each time they hold a rigged election. Welcome to the world.

Yes, well the Burmese generals make sure that the profits from the natural resources of Burma are sold and the profits enter the global banking system through Singapore, just like countless other tyrannical despots profit throughout the globe. Sadam threatened to sell his oil an a currency denominated other than in US$ and was thus worthy of being deposed via an invasion of imperial storm troopers.

[absolutelyBangkok]

BURMA

Burma under state of emergency after election

Burma has been placed under a 90-day state of emergency after holding its first election in 20 years on Sunday, Radio New Zealand reported Monday.

And what's Radio New Zealand's source?!

[webfact]

10.33am Burma's military collide w/ Karens, RPG fell in Thai territory, reportedly many injured. / @Neaw_NBC #smsINN /via@Tulip_Oum

[gemini81]

critisim is the best they can do , all those obama ,kouchner ,UN ,western power

why not sending the army ???

Because all the loons would just moan about it.

like the ones here! d*mned if you do, d*mned if you don't-invade and create a lot of other bad relations, or let it go and people suffer. At least democratic is on the tip of their tongue more than it was 20 years ago, progess occurs one smalls step at a time. wish all of the moaners on here would recognize that.

Ultimately, it's Burma's cross to bear.

[webfact]

Myanmar armed forces and Karen minority group clash; shells fly into Thai territory in Tak province, injuring four; authorities order evacuation /MCOT

[thunder30101]

Why doesnt the usa do something about it ? Well why doesnt europe or britain or russia or france or australia or new zealand or china or name any country do something about it. We may screw alot of things up when we try to help but at least we try,*(foul language deleted)* enjoy your future domination by the chinese i dont think you are going to like it.

[hammered]

Burma - an entire nation of people suppressed under tyrannical rule.

Iraq ten years ago - an entire nation of people suppressed under tyrannical rule.

The latter merits a full scale invasion and total regime change by outside forces. The former gets a couple of soundbites each time they hold a rigged election. Welcome to the world.

Yes, well the Burmese generals make sure that the profits from the natural resources of Burma are sold and the profits enter the global banking system through Singapore, just like countless other tyrannical despots profit throughout the globe. Sadam threatened to sell his oil an a currency denominated other than in US$ and was thus worthy of being deposed via an invasion of imperial storm troopers.

Now now no need to bring any inconvenient tuths into the deabte . The west certainly allow, back and arm their fair share of authoritarian despotic regimes as long as siad regimes have use. Saudi springs to mind readily but there are others.

[Sailfish1]

So, is that it? Only words? After all these years, all the U.S. can do is to criticize? Unlike Iraq, there is no oil in Myanmar. However, didn't the U.S. go into Iraq to make the country "democratic"? Of course, maybe the Myanmar military is too tough for the U.S. to handle!!! Hahahaha!! U.S., either do something or keep your opinions to yourself!!

[chuang]

So much good have been said about Aung San Suu Kyi by the western world...what about the ethnic minorities in Burma, they have suffered more than Suu Kyi why the western leaders keep numb about it....

[bangon04]

So, is that it? Only words? After all these years, all the U.S. can do is to criticize? Unlike Iraq, there is no oil in Myanmar. However, didn't the U.S. go into Iraq to make the country "democratic"? Of course, maybe the Myanmar military is too tough for the U.S. to handle!!! Hahahaha!! U.S., either do something or keep your opinions to yourself!!

As has already been mentioned, what resources they do have in Myanmar are already earmarked for the benefit of China. Burmese policy will change as soon as but not before China wants it to change. Same as North Korea. It suits China to have 2 failed states covering their flanks and annoying the Americans. If and when they decide it is more useful to China to do something positive, they will. Until then forget it. The US has no stomach, or bankroll for any confrontation with China beyond grand words.

Also the Kingdom of Thailand and the other hypocrites in ASEAN are making plenty of profit out of Myanmar the way it is. ASEAN has no desire to upset the status quo, or upset China.

Do you really believe if China decided to march into Burma or North Korea tomorrow, there would be anything more than harsh words??

As another poster has already said - there is a new Superpower in the game, and it plays the game of war by Attrition.

[asiawatcher]

What? Does Burma really think by withholding 25% of the seats and saying there must be a 75% majority vote on issues, the world does not look straight through that and laugh? How stupid and moronic and reflects the management of the country which is archaic, greedy and totally corrupt. I would edict a total blockade of all assistance with Burma for 6 months and reassess after that.

Maybe Thaksin could be contracted to become an advisor and show them how to manage their financial affairs more covertly.

[asiawatcher]

What? Does Burma really think by withholding 25% of the seats and saying there must be a 75% majority vote on issues, the world does not look straight through that and laugh? How stupid and moronic and reflects the management of the country which is archaic, greedy and totally corrupt. I would edict a total blockade of all assistance with Burma for 6 months and reassess after that.

Maybe Thaksin could be contracted to become an advisor and show them how to manage their financial affairs more covertly.

[hanuman1]

So, is that it? Only words? After all these years, all the U.S. can do is to criticize? Unlike Iraq, there is no oil in Myanmar. However, didn't the U.S. go into Iraq to make the country "democratic"? Of course, maybe the Myanmar military is too tough for the U.S. to handle!!! Hahahaha!! U.S., either do something or keep your opinions to yourself!!

As has already been mentioned, what resources they do have in Myanmar are already earmarked for the benefit of China. Burmese policy will change as soon as but not before China wants it to change. Same as North Korea. It suits China to have 2 failed states covering their flanks and annoying the Americans. If and when they decide it is more useful to China to do something positive, they will. Until then forget it. The US has no stomach, or bankroll for any confrontation with China beyond grand words.

Also the Kingdom of Thailand and the other hypocrites in ASEAN are making plenty of profit out of Myanmar the way it is. ASEAN has no desire to upset the status quo, or upset China.

Do you really believe if China decided to march into Burma or North Korea tomorrow, there would be anything more than harsh words??

As another poster has already said - there is a new Superpower in the game, and it plays the game of war by Attrition.

China has a track record of doing very good business with clearly failed states. Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge in the late 70's springs to mind, and I'm sure there are others.

[whybother]

What? Does Burma really think by withholding 25% of the seats and saying there must be a 75% majority vote on issues, the world does not look straight through that and laugh? How stupid and moronic and reflects the management of the country which is archaic, greedy and totally corrupt. I would edict a total blockade of all assistance with Burma for 6 months and reassess after that.

Maybe Thaksin could be contracted to become an advisor and show them how to manage their financial affairs more covertly.

Thaksin has already done his deals with Burma hasn't he? He got Thailand to lend them about 4 billion baht so they could by products and services from his telecom company.