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New Burma constitution published New Burma constitution published
(10 minutes later)
Burma's military rulers have published their proposed new constitution, which critics say will cement their grip on power and weaken the opposition.Burma's military rulers have published their proposed new constitution, which critics say will cement their grip on power and weaken the opposition.
The 194-page document has gone on sale at government bookshops at a cost of 1,000 kyat ($1; 50p) a copy.The 194-page document has gone on sale at government bookshops at a cost of 1,000 kyat ($1; 50p) a copy.
The junta says it will put the document to a national referendum on 10 May.The junta says it will put the document to a national referendum on 10 May.
The charter was drafted by the generals without input from the pro-democracy opposition, and bans opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from holding office.The charter was drafted by the generals without input from the pro-democracy opposition, and bans opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from holding office.
Seats for military
The writing of the constitution has taken many years and remains controversial.The writing of the constitution has taken many years and remains controversial.
A draft copy leaked recently contained a clause which stated that amendments would be possible only with 100% support in a national referendum - seemingly ruling out any possibility of change.A draft copy leaked recently contained a clause which stated that amendments would be possible only with 100% support in a national referendum - seemingly ruling out any possibility of change.
But the final version of the document has reduced the threshold to 50% of the electorate.But the final version of the document has reduced the threshold to 50% of the electorate.
General Than Shwe and his colleagues rule the country with an iron fist
The Constitution Drafting Committee said the initial clause was a typographical error.The Constitution Drafting Committee said the initial clause was a typographical error.
In a letter to the country's Foreign Correspondents Club the committee said the mistake came about as a result of "some dropped words in the new constitution".In a letter to the country's Foreign Correspondents Club the committee said the mistake came about as a result of "some dropped words in the new constitution".
Seats for military
The junta announced on Wednesday it would seek approval for the document in a national vote on 10 May, and has pledged to hold multi-party elections by 2010.The junta announced on Wednesday it would seek approval for the document in a national vote on 10 May, and has pledged to hold multi-party elections by 2010.
But the Irrawaddy website, which is critical of the junta, says the new rules enshrine the military's dominance of the political system.But the Irrawaddy website, which is critical of the junta, says the new rules enshrine the military's dominance of the political system.
Even if there were elections, the site says 56 military officers are guaranteed places in the 224-member lower house of parliament.Even if there were elections, the site says 56 military officers are guaranteed places in the 224-member lower house of parliament.
And 110 seats out of 440 in the upper house are reserved for the military.And 110 seats out of 440 in the upper house are reserved for the military.
Also drawing criticism is a clause which bars anyone who has been married to a foreign national from holding political office.
Ms Suu Kyi, the main opposition leader, was married to a British academic and is therefore disqualified.
Her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), won a landslide victory in the country's last elections in 1990 - though the military never allowed them to form a government.
The NLD has mounted a campaign to persuade Burmese to vote "no" to the constitution in the forthcoming referendum.