EDITORIAL: Myanmar's parliament

The newly inaugurated parliament of Myanmar (Burma) convened last week in the gleaming new capital city of Naypyidaw. The event marked the official opening of the massive parliament building, but the media were not allowed near it. It was only from state-run news programs at night that the public learned about the decisions of the parliament, the first elected legislature in 20 years.

So much for Myanmar's "new start" last week. There was nothing to indicate that the nation had moved any closer to democracy.

The military regime's former prime minister, Thein Sein, was named president by the new parliament, which was elected last November. A new Cabinet will be formed soon, which the military regime claims will spell a "transition to democratic rule."

An elected administration sounds a lot better than a regime without a Constitution or parliament. But in reality, one-quarter of the seats of the new parliament are reserved for military officers. Even among the elected members, former military officers make up an overwhelming majority.

The support of more than three-quarters of the parliament is needed to amend the current Constitution, which was instituted by the military junta three years ago. It seems that the new administration is designed to legalize and perpetuate oppressive rule.

Senior General Than Shwe, chairman of the State Peace and Development Council, was not named president. Some Myanmar watchers say this at least shows some progress.

However, Thein Sein is Mynamar's fourth highest ranked military official. As Than Shwe's loyal lieutenant, he was the face of the junta.

In Myanmar, the commander of the armed forces holds greater power than the president. The commander appoints the ministers of defense, internal affairs and others, and is vested with wide-ranging powers by the president in times of emergency.

Than Shwe currently serves as commander of Myanmar's armed forces. Although the new administration's National Security Council is to appoint a new commander, nothing will change if Than Shwe is reappointed.

If the new administration is aiming at democratic rule, it must show its sincerity at home as well as abroad. The real test lies in who will be appointed to key government posts. If Than Shwe remains in his post or is allowed to keep pulling the strings, Myanmar will find it hard to convince anybody that it is moving toward democratic rule.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations has demanded that the United States and European countries lift their economic sanctions against Myanmar, on the grounds that Myanmar has held national elections and released democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest.

The Japanese government, too, acknowledges "some credit" is due to Myanmar for Suu Kyi's release and for the general elections, according to Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara.

But it is still too soon for Japan to demand the lifting of the sanctions or to resume full-scale aid to Myanmar. Japan must await specific actions by the new administration.

Suu Kyi won her election 21 years ago by a landslide, and she is still an extremely popular figure in her country. Unless the new administration swiftly initiates dialogue with her in earnest, there can be no national reconciliation.

The new regime must also immediately free political prisoners. There are estimated to be around 2,000 people held for political reasons.

The Japanese government must patiently work with neighboring nations to pressure the new administration to take those steps.

--The Asahi Shimbun, Feb. 8