Who is at the heart of Burma's junta? 26 March 2010
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8586697.stm
This year's Armed Forces Day in Burma comes after election laws were announced and before a poll date is revealed.
But while elections elsewhere might imply an end to military rule, the BBC's Vaudine England has been finding out that the country's top generals are as solidly in charge as ever.
OVERVIEW
The elections are described by analysts as the moment when top leader Than Shwe seeks legitimacy and secures a political transition that keeps his old age free from prosecution or disgrace.
Speculation is swirling as to what role the general sees for himself - either Than Shwe will want to remain as army chief or will need a solid ally in place so he can become president.
None of these calculations take the opposition into account, analysts agree. Indeed, the election laws bar the opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and all political detainees from taking part.
"It's not Suu Kyi who keeps him awake at night, but the question of how his trusted officers can ensure his future security and that of his family," says Aung Zaw, editor of Irrawaddy magazine.
"I doubt he will announce a successor - he doesn't need to do that - but this is likely to be the last time Than Shwe addresses this gathering as armed forces commander in chief," says Professor Win Min, at Payap University in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand.
With or without elections, Burma's military will remain the only institution that counts. So who is in charge?
SENIOR GENERAL THAN SHWE
No-one doubts this general's supremacy. He is chairman of the 12-member State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), aka the junta, and commander in chief of the armed forces. An impressive rise for a former postal clerk who did not finish secondary school.
Born in 1933, he joined the army in 1953 and helped former top leader Ne Win mount a coup against a democratically elected government in 1962.
He emerged as the chairman of SLORC, the State Law and Order Restoration Committee, precursor to the SPDC, and the body formed when the military took control after the 1988 elections which were won by Ms Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy.
In 2004, he dispensed with a key source of competition to his power, namely then prime minister and intelligence chief Khin Nyunt. He remains under house arrest and hundreds of his followers were purged.
Than Shwe is patron of the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), a mass organisation known for brutally enforcing military wishes in civilian guise.
He harbours a reportedly visceral hatred for Ms Suu Kyi and is said to be secretive, deeply superstitious, xenophobic and rich.
DEPUTY SENIOR GENERAL MAUNG AYE
Born in 1937, General Maung Aye is the closest source of competition, and sometimes conflict, to General Than Shwe.
Once commander of Burma's drug-growing northeast region, he is now also known for his complex business involvements.
He is reputedly hostile to Burma's ethnic groups, yet is believed by some watchers to have argued against the use of force to crack down on the monk-led opposition protests in 2007.
GENERAL SHWE MANN
Recent analysis has concluded that Shwe Mann, joint chief of staff and coordinator of special operations, is Than Shwe's preferred successor.
Born in 1947, he is described as down to earth, with the respect of the foot soldiers he commanded for many years.
He too has complex business links - one of his three sons married into a leading real estate developer's family, another is in business with Tay Za, a tycoon subject to United States' economic sanctions.
TEAM PLAYERS
Ranked as number four in the junta, Prime Minister Thein Sein does not appear on lists of expected successors to Than Shwe.
Number five in terms of influence is General Tin Aung Myint Oo, followed by Lt Gen Tin Aye, the chief of military ordinance.
This is a hugely important job, reportedly involving Tin Aye in negotiations with North Korea among other weapons suppliers.
The other important lieutenant general is Myint Shwe, who could be ranked as number seven, analysts say, even though he is the only name here who is not a member of the SPDC.
A key indicator of who is closest to Than Shwe at any time can be found in his choice of shopping partners on trips to Singapore - long a discreet playground and medical centre for the generals.
"Than Shwe has been trying to promote Shwe Mann but his inability to do so shows he could not yet reach an agreement with Maung Aye," believes Professor Win Min.
With Armed Forces Day being attended by a longer list of guests than usual, the only certainty is that the power - and the opacity - of the junta will remain.
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
U.N. rights forum condemns Myanmar, extends probe
U.N. rights forum condemns Myanmar, extends probe Stephanie Nebehay
Mar 26, 2010
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62P2U220100326
(Reuters) - The U.N. Human Rights Council condemned Friday widespread violations in Myanmar and called on its generals to release 2,100 political prisoners ahead of an election this year, saying the vote must be free and fair.
World
It adopted by consensus a resolution, presented by the European Union, which also extended by one year the mandate of the Council's special investigator on the former Burma.
Tomas Ojea Quintana, U.N. special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, called in a report this month for an international inquiry into possible war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the ruling junta.
The Council condemned "systematic violations," including disappearances, arbitrary detentions, torture and ill-treatment of prisoners and recruitment of child soldiers.
It urged Myanmar's government to "ensure a free, transparent, fair electoral process which allows for the participation of all voters, all political parties."
This included the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD), which won the 1990 poll in a landslide, a result the regime ignored and recently annulled.
The Council voiced concern at the "continued arbitrary house arrest" of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, head of the NLD party, who has been detained for 15 of the past 21 years. She was sentenced to a further 18 months of house arrest last August.
Myanmar's ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva, Wunna Maung Lwin, rejected the EU resolution as being "politically motivated" and infringing on his country's internal affairs.
Resource-rich Myanmar, crippled by sanctions, has promised to hand over power to an elected civilian government, although few people believe the military will really transfer power.
Spain's ambassador Javier Garrigues, presenting the EU resolution, told the Council: "We reaffirm the essential importance of inclusive political dialogue with a view to national reconciliation and of the release of all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi."
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed frustration on Thursday at slow progress toward democracy in Myanmar, where planned elections have been derided in the West as a sham.
Ban spoke after discussing Myanmar with a group of countries, but diplomats said any Security Council action was blocked by objections from China and Russia to what they see as interference in the Asian country's internal affairs.
In Geneva, Chinese diplomat Ke Yousheng told the Council his country regretted that the EU resolution was "sharp in words" and failed to reflect efforts by Myanmar's rulers.
(Editing by Jonathan Lynn)
Mar 26, 2010
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62P2U220100326
(Reuters) - The U.N. Human Rights Council condemned Friday widespread violations in Myanmar and called on its generals to release 2,100 political prisoners ahead of an election this year, saying the vote must be free and fair.
World
It adopted by consensus a resolution, presented by the European Union, which also extended by one year the mandate of the Council's special investigator on the former Burma.
Tomas Ojea Quintana, U.N. special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, called in a report this month for an international inquiry into possible war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the ruling junta.
The Council condemned "systematic violations," including disappearances, arbitrary detentions, torture and ill-treatment of prisoners and recruitment of child soldiers.
It urged Myanmar's government to "ensure a free, transparent, fair electoral process which allows for the participation of all voters, all political parties."
This included the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD), which won the 1990 poll in a landslide, a result the regime ignored and recently annulled.
The Council voiced concern at the "continued arbitrary house arrest" of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, head of the NLD party, who has been detained for 15 of the past 21 years. She was sentenced to a further 18 months of house arrest last August.
Myanmar's ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva, Wunna Maung Lwin, rejected the EU resolution as being "politically motivated" and infringing on his country's internal affairs.
Resource-rich Myanmar, crippled by sanctions, has promised to hand over power to an elected civilian government, although few people believe the military will really transfer power.
Spain's ambassador Javier Garrigues, presenting the EU resolution, told the Council: "We reaffirm the essential importance of inclusive political dialogue with a view to national reconciliation and of the release of all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi."
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed frustration on Thursday at slow progress toward democracy in Myanmar, where planned elections have been derided in the West as a sham.
Ban spoke after discussing Myanmar with a group of countries, but diplomats said any Security Council action was blocked by objections from China and Russia to what they see as interference in the Asian country's internal affairs.
In Geneva, Chinese diplomat Ke Yousheng told the Council his country regretted that the EU resolution was "sharp in words" and failed to reflect efforts by Myanmar's rulers.
(Editing by Jonathan Lynn)
Myanmar orders CNN correspondent deported
Myanmar orders CNN correspondent deported
Mar 26, 2010
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hvfWEVVJxEA_NjVlUVm6rHcX4JEAD9EMEGF01
NAYPYITAW, Myanmar — A reporter for the U.S. television network CNN has been ordered deported from Myanmar for the second time in two years.
Dan Rivers, who was in the capital city Naypyitaw to cover Armed Forces Day — one of the few events which the ruling junta invites foreign journalists to cover — will be deported because he is on a blacklist for illicitly reporting from the country in May 2008, an Information Ministry official said Friday.
Rivers was one of the few Western journalists to openly report on the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis — which left 138,000 people dead or missing — and was kicked out after several days.
The official, who spoke on connection of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press, said Rivers was accidentally allowed in again this month because of a mistake by Myanmar's embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, where the CNN correspondent is based.
The official said Rivers was sent from Naypyitaw, to Yangon, the country's commercial hub, from where he would be expelled. He was unsure when the deportation would be carried out.
A CNN spokesman in Hong Kong declined to comment.
Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Mar 26, 2010
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hvfWEVVJxEA_NjVlUVm6rHcX4JEAD9EMEGF01
NAYPYITAW, Myanmar — A reporter for the U.S. television network CNN has been ordered deported from Myanmar for the second time in two years.
Dan Rivers, who was in the capital city Naypyitaw to cover Armed Forces Day — one of the few events which the ruling junta invites foreign journalists to cover — will be deported because he is on a blacklist for illicitly reporting from the country in May 2008, an Information Ministry official said Friday.
Rivers was one of the few Western journalists to openly report on the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis — which left 138,000 people dead or missing — and was kicked out after several days.
The official, who spoke on connection of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press, said Rivers was accidentally allowed in again this month because of a mistake by Myanmar's embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, where the CNN correspondent is based.
The official said Rivers was sent from Naypyitaw, to Yangon, the country's commercial hub, from where he would be expelled. He was unsure when the deportation would be carried out.
A CNN spokesman in Hong Kong declined to comment.
Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Alcatel-Lucent Denies Supplying Surveillance Gear to Myanmar
Alcatel-Lucent Denies Supplying Surveillance Gear to Myanmar March 26, 2010
By Matthew Campbell
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-03-26/alcatel-lucent-denies-supplying-surveillance-gear-to-myanmar.html
March 26 (Bloomberg) -- Alcatel-Lucent SA, France’s biggest telecommunications equipment supplier, denied a magazine report suggesting it provided the military government of Myanmar with equipment that could be used for surveillance.
The Paris-based company is providing normal telecommunication infrastructure to Myanmar and not “any solution dedicated to the control of conversations”, Alcatel said in a statement. Nouvel Observateur, a French magazine, today published a letter from non-governmental organizations that said Alcatel products could help Myanmar censor communications.
Myanmar, the south-east Asian country formerly known as Burma, is preparing for its first elections since 1990. Earlier this month, the country’s rulers announced election laws that will ban political prisoners including opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from participating.
“Alcatel-Lucent understands and shares concerns about the situation in Myanmar,” the company said. “We are nevertheless convinced that the improvement of communications infrastructure can promote the economic and cultural development of a country and equally contribute to its evolution toward democracy.”
--Editor: Simon Thiel, Chad Thomas.
To contact the reporter on this story: Matthew Campbell in London at mcampbell39@bloomberg.net.
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Vidya Root at vroot@bloomberg.net.
By Matthew Campbell
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-03-26/alcatel-lucent-denies-supplying-surveillance-gear-to-myanmar.html
March 26 (Bloomberg) -- Alcatel-Lucent SA, France’s biggest telecommunications equipment supplier, denied a magazine report suggesting it provided the military government of Myanmar with equipment that could be used for surveillance.
The Paris-based company is providing normal telecommunication infrastructure to Myanmar and not “any solution dedicated to the control of conversations”, Alcatel said in a statement. Nouvel Observateur, a French magazine, today published a letter from non-governmental organizations that said Alcatel products could help Myanmar censor communications.
Myanmar, the south-east Asian country formerly known as Burma, is preparing for its first elections since 1990. Earlier this month, the country’s rulers announced election laws that will ban political prisoners including opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from participating.
“Alcatel-Lucent understands and shares concerns about the situation in Myanmar,” the company said. “We are nevertheless convinced that the improvement of communications infrastructure can promote the economic and cultural development of a country and equally contribute to its evolution toward democracy.”
--Editor: Simon Thiel, Chad Thomas.
To contact the reporter on this story: Matthew Campbell in London at mcampbell39@bloomberg.net.
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Vidya Root at vroot@bloomberg.net.
SCENARIOS -Myanmar's uncertain post-election future
SCENARIOS -Myanmar's uncertain post-election future Mar 26, 2010
By Martin Petty
http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-47236120100326
BANGKOK (Reuters) - Military-ruled Myanmar will hold its first democratic election in two decades later this year, polls that critics say will be a sham resulting in no significant transfer of power to a civilian government.
The resource-rich country of 48 million people is heading for a period of uncertainty, with concerns about economic and social stability after almost five decades of army rule.
Following are possible post-election scenarios:
COSMETIC CHANGE ONLY, MILITARY RETAINS POWER
Few believe the military will really hand power back to a civilian government. The new constitution guarantees the army 25 percent of parliamentary seats, and junta proxies are expected to run and win plenty more. The military will have jurisdiction over key ministries and reserves the right to take power at a time of national crisis.
Civilians backed, or at least vetted, by the junta will probably be given some government positions, but analysts say the military will still control major policy and budget decisions.
This is the most likely scenario. Analysts say the generals sincerely believe the military is the only institution capable of keeping the country together and therefore want to remain in charge.
GRADUAL TRANSFER TO CIVILIAN CONTROL
In the long term, Myanmar could undergo a gradual transition of power to a civilian government free of military control. This would be an evolutionary process rather than a junta-inspired shift.
Future elections, constitutional amendments and shifts in the power structure or patronage systems could lead to the emergence of splinter groups or factions within the military; some may favour offering a role to experienced, educated technocrats deemed capable of handling the economy, for example.
"The generals may believe they can control political proxies, crony businessmen, military colleagues and ethnic factions ... but in a new context these groups might develop independent agendas," the International Crisis Group said in a report.
PUBLIC REJECTS MILITARY-CONTROLLED GOVERNMENT
Decades of economic mismanagement, human rights abuses and a failure to invest sufficiently in education, health and public services have created deep public resentment of the military.
Nationwide monk-led protests in 2007 triggered by increases in fuel and cooking gas prices stoked public anger. The bloody crackdown that followed showed the junta had no qualms about using force to suppress dissent. However, ordinary people are willing to take that risk, as seen in a recent wave of strikes by garment workers that have rattled the military.
Myanmar's people have been promised big things after the elections. Analysts say they could revolt if a new government fails to deliver the goods.
"DEMOCRACY" FAILS, MILITARY TAKES BACK POWER
The last time elections were held in 1990, the result was unfavourable for the generals and they refused to hand over power. It appears the junta has learned from that and drafted electoral laws that will limit the powers of elected opponents.
However, if the 2010 election process throws up problems, the regime could scrap or indefinitely postpone the polls, citing reasons of national security and stability.
Even if a government and national assembly are in place, a constitutional clause allows the commander-in-chief to dissolve the house and assume power at a time of crisis. If army influence wanes, it could provoke a crisis of its own making as a pretext to wrestle back control.
However, most analysts say the generals won't find this necessary: provisions written into the constitution, drafted mainly by the military, will ensure there is no real threat to the status quo.
(Editing by Alan Raybould and David Fox)
By Martin Petty
http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-47236120100326
BANGKOK (Reuters) - Military-ruled Myanmar will hold its first democratic election in two decades later this year, polls that critics say will be a sham resulting in no significant transfer of power to a civilian government.
The resource-rich country of 48 million people is heading for a period of uncertainty, with concerns about economic and social stability after almost five decades of army rule.
Following are possible post-election scenarios:
COSMETIC CHANGE ONLY, MILITARY RETAINS POWER
Few believe the military will really hand power back to a civilian government. The new constitution guarantees the army 25 percent of parliamentary seats, and junta proxies are expected to run and win plenty more. The military will have jurisdiction over key ministries and reserves the right to take power at a time of national crisis.
Civilians backed, or at least vetted, by the junta will probably be given some government positions, but analysts say the military will still control major policy and budget decisions.
This is the most likely scenario. Analysts say the generals sincerely believe the military is the only institution capable of keeping the country together and therefore want to remain in charge.
GRADUAL TRANSFER TO CIVILIAN CONTROL
In the long term, Myanmar could undergo a gradual transition of power to a civilian government free of military control. This would be an evolutionary process rather than a junta-inspired shift.
Future elections, constitutional amendments and shifts in the power structure or patronage systems could lead to the emergence of splinter groups or factions within the military; some may favour offering a role to experienced, educated technocrats deemed capable of handling the economy, for example.
"The generals may believe they can control political proxies, crony businessmen, military colleagues and ethnic factions ... but in a new context these groups might develop independent agendas," the International Crisis Group said in a report.
PUBLIC REJECTS MILITARY-CONTROLLED GOVERNMENT
Decades of economic mismanagement, human rights abuses and a failure to invest sufficiently in education, health and public services have created deep public resentment of the military.
Nationwide monk-led protests in 2007 triggered by increases in fuel and cooking gas prices stoked public anger. The bloody crackdown that followed showed the junta had no qualms about using force to suppress dissent. However, ordinary people are willing to take that risk, as seen in a recent wave of strikes by garment workers that have rattled the military.
Myanmar's people have been promised big things after the elections. Analysts say they could revolt if a new government fails to deliver the goods.
"DEMOCRACY" FAILS, MILITARY TAKES BACK POWER
The last time elections were held in 1990, the result was unfavourable for the generals and they refused to hand over power. It appears the junta has learned from that and drafted electoral laws that will limit the powers of elected opponents.
However, if the 2010 election process throws up problems, the regime could scrap or indefinitely postpone the polls, citing reasons of national security and stability.
Even if a government and national assembly are in place, a constitutional clause allows the commander-in-chief to dissolve the house and assume power at a time of crisis. If army influence wanes, it could provoke a crisis of its own making as a pretext to wrestle back control.
However, most analysts say the generals won't find this necessary: provisions written into the constitution, drafted mainly by the military, will ensure there is no real threat to the status quo.
(Editing by Alan Raybould and David Fox)
Myanmar junta prepares for final salute
Myanmar junta prepares for final salute 03.26.10
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3868448,00.html
An ostentatious parade by Myanmar's ruling generals on Saturday is being cast by the junta as a swansong, but the military looks set to remain the dominant political force even after handing power to a civilian government after elections later this year.
The annual Army Day parade in the new capital of Naypyitaw will no doubt feature nationalist speeches on economic potential and democratic rule in the former Burma, but analysts say the generals have a far more important message to deliver. (Reuters)
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3868448,00.html
An ostentatious parade by Myanmar's ruling generals on Saturday is being cast by the junta as a swansong, but the military looks set to remain the dominant political force even after handing power to a civilian government after elections later this year.
The annual Army Day parade in the new capital of Naypyitaw will no doubt feature nationalist speeches on economic potential and democratic rule in the former Burma, but analysts say the generals have a far more important message to deliver. (Reuters)
Ban 'frustrated' over Myanmar polls
Ban 'frustrated' over Myanmar polls
March 26, 2010
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2010/03/201032645122620152.html
The UN secretary-general has said his frustrated and disappointed with Myanmar's military leaders lack of progress in taking their country towards democracy.
Ban Ki-moon's comments on Thursday follow a meeting of the so called the so-called "Group of Friends" on Myanmar and Security Council talks, which were held a day earlier.
"It's frustrating and ... disappointing that we have not seen much progress," Ban said.
The "Group of Friends" comprises Australia, Britain, China, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Norway, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, the US, Vietnam and the EU.
Diplomats said that any action by the Security Council had been blocked by objections from China and Russia to what they see as interference in the country's internal affairs.
China has long been unwilling to take punitive action against neighbouring Myanmar, whose coastline provides it with easy access to lucrative Asian markets.
Diplomatic divisions
The differences were also apparent after Wednesday's closed-door Security Council discussion of Myanmar.
"A general election being held in any country is a matter of a sovereign state, so that should be respected," Li Baodong, China's ambassador, told reporters.
But Mark Lyall Grant, the British ambassador, argued: "The instability that could be caused by a flawed electoral process is a threat to international peace and security," he said.
Earlier in the month Myanmar's military government unveiled election laws, one of which says that parties registering for the elections must exclude members serving prison terms.
That would exclude Aung San Suu Kyi, the opposition leader, who has been under house arrest for almost two decades, as well as many senior members of her National League for Democracy (NLD) party.
Ban also said Myanmar had been slow to implement commitments made to him by General Than Shwe, Myanmar's military leader, during the UN chief's visit last year.
He cited the lateness in publishing the electoral laws and also complained of the failure to set a date for the polls or free prisoners of conscience.
Critics in the West say the election will be a sham aimed at creating a facade of civilian rule with the ruling general possessing total control over the country's affairs.
The military has ruled the former British colony for almost five decades.
Myanmar election laws
Myanmar's military government has announced new laws governing national election expected later this year. The following are key points of the laws announced so far:
Anyone convicted by courts is barred from standing as a candidate or voting.
Parties must expel any many member convicted and serving time in jail or in detention.
Political parties wanting to contest poll must re-register with election commission within 60 days.
Anyone disrupting voting can be jailed for up to one year.
Results of previous 1990 election, won by the NLD, are annulled.
March 26, 2010
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2010/03/201032645122620152.html
The UN secretary-general has said his frustrated and disappointed with Myanmar's military leaders lack of progress in taking their country towards democracy.
Ban Ki-moon's comments on Thursday follow a meeting of the so called the so-called "Group of Friends" on Myanmar and Security Council talks, which were held a day earlier.
"It's frustrating and ... disappointing that we have not seen much progress," Ban said.
The "Group of Friends" comprises Australia, Britain, China, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Norway, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, the US, Vietnam and the EU.
Diplomats said that any action by the Security Council had been blocked by objections from China and Russia to what they see as interference in the country's internal affairs.
China has long been unwilling to take punitive action against neighbouring Myanmar, whose coastline provides it with easy access to lucrative Asian markets.
Diplomatic divisions
The differences were also apparent after Wednesday's closed-door Security Council discussion of Myanmar.
"A general election being held in any country is a matter of a sovereign state, so that should be respected," Li Baodong, China's ambassador, told reporters.
But Mark Lyall Grant, the British ambassador, argued: "The instability that could be caused by a flawed electoral process is a threat to international peace and security," he said.
Earlier in the month Myanmar's military government unveiled election laws, one of which says that parties registering for the elections must exclude members serving prison terms.
That would exclude Aung San Suu Kyi, the opposition leader, who has been under house arrest for almost two decades, as well as many senior members of her National League for Democracy (NLD) party.
Ban also said Myanmar had been slow to implement commitments made to him by General Than Shwe, Myanmar's military leader, during the UN chief's visit last year.
He cited the lateness in publishing the electoral laws and also complained of the failure to set a date for the polls or free prisoners of conscience.
Critics in the West say the election will be a sham aimed at creating a facade of civilian rule with the ruling general possessing total control over the country's affairs.
The military has ruled the former British colony for almost five decades.
Myanmar election laws
Myanmar's military government has announced new laws governing national election expected later this year. The following are key points of the laws announced so far:
Anyone convicted by courts is barred from standing as a candidate or voting.
Parties must expel any many member convicted and serving time in jail or in detention.
Political parties wanting to contest poll must re-register with election commission within 60 days.
Anyone disrupting voting can be jailed for up to one year.
Results of previous 1990 election, won by the NLD, are annulled.
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