From the Burma Solidarity group

18 March 2008

Voters urged to say 'no' to Burma constitution

One of Burma's main pro-democracy groups yesterday urged voters to reject the ruling junta's proposed constitution when it goes to a referendum in May.

The regime says approval of the charter will clear the way to multi-party elections in 2010, but the 88 Generation Students' Group said it would only enshrine military rule.

"This constitution is designed to protect and promote the interests, wealth and security of generals and their cronies," the group said in a statement.

"This constitution will allow the military dictatorship to perpetuate in Burma ," it added, using the country's previous name.

The 88 Generation Students, named after student-led protests in 1988 that were also brutally crushed, urged voters to reject the constitution to show their opposition to the military's violent tactics.

"With our 'No' votes, we will clean the blood and dirt stained on the bodies of our revered monks by the soldiers," the group said.

"You do not need to be afraid. The authorities have no right to arrest you for voting against this constitution. You are entitled to use your vote freely.

"By voting against this constitution, let us show the enormous power of the people. If you fail to do so, you will be afraid of the military for the rest of your life and of your next generations," it added.

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China arms Burma military

By Andrei Chang

China has exported two 16 PA6 shipborne diesel engines to Burma to be fitted on its navy's indigenous patrol ships, a representative of the German MAN Diesel Co., which designed the original engines, has confirmed.

China 's export of these engines will help Burma upgrade its patrol vessels. Since 1998, Burma has built three Sinmalaik-class patrol vessels, with help from China in the design and construction of the vessel hulls.

Most of the major surface combatants of the Burma navy were supplied by China , so the navy resembles the PLA navy in many respects. It has acquired Chinese 40-kilometer-range C-801 ship-to-ship missiles along with 037-G high-speed missile patrol boats. The Burma navy altogether has four 037-G fast missile boats, which were all delivered between 1995 and 1997.

Not only the Burma navy but also its army and air force are equipped with massive Chinese military equipment. For the past 10 years, China has been the largest supplier of arms to the country. Japanese television news broadcast during last September's military crackdown on Buddhist monks showed Burmese soldiers using Chinese-made Dongfeng trucks and even wearing Chinese helmets.

The army has been equipped with more than 100 Chinese T-69-II main battle tanks and 55 new T-90 armored personnel carriers. A Google Earth satellite photo shows that at least two Chinese A5M attackers have been deployed in the northern city of Mandalay , which can be used for assaults on rebels in the northern part of the country.

China sold more than 22 A5M attackers and at least 50 F-7 fighters to the Burma air force in 1991 and 1993. Satellite photos have also shown two Chinese-made Y-8 transporters at the Yangon airport. Also, 12 Chinese Lang Chang K-8 jet trainer aircraft have been sold to the country in the past seven years, the same type sold to the Sudanese air force.

For its part, China is actively pursuing access to Burma 's natural resources, especially its oil and natural gas. Last year China won a bid to extract natural gas from Burma 's biggest offshore field, believed to hold as much as 7.7 trillion cubic feet of gas. The gas is to be delivered by a pipeline, yet to be constructed, via Mandalay to China 's southern province of Yunnan .

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