Good luck Mr. Tonkin

Mr. Tonkin's comments on 1990 Burmese election's "99.99% of Burmese
people did not understand what the 1990 election was for, but 50 or so
foreign correspondents knew" was very weak argument.

Mr. Tonkin should know the election name was "1990 Multi Party General
Election" and SLORC did not introduce the word "multi party election"
to Burmese people.
When General Nay Win saw many bystanders clapping the students
shouting anti BSPP slogans in early demonstration in March and June
1988 on the roads, he was so ashamed and furious. He barked on
national TV that night that he will change the constitution to hold
multi party election if people do not like him and his one party
system. The answer was "8-8-88 Yes!!" And Multi Party Election was the
main theme threw out every discussions among the BSPP and oppositions
as well.
When SLORC took power in 19th September, the first thing they
announced was to hold free and fair multi party elections as soon as
possible. Every body talked about election meant parliamentary multi
party election to form new government. Nobody ever mentioned about
constitutional election. The SLORC made hundreds of speeches and news
conferences but they did not mentioned election was to draft
constitution. May be they mentioned about drafting constitution by the
wining party but not with that election or not stated they will draft
one.
Thousands of articles about that election were reported on various
papers and news agencies, may be very few doubted the SLORC main
intention. But I'm sure all the international news reporters
understood what is Multi Party General Election means well.
Even just a week before the election in 1990, when a foreign
correspondent asked the Army Chief of Staffs and the leader of SLORC
General Saw Maung whether the Army will draft new constitution after
the election or not, he clearly stated, "Don't push the Army to become
historical villain (scapegoat), we (the Army) are not the naive, we
will never draft constitution, it is the parliament's job". Everybody
respect his words which is correct and fair.

It was clear and approved by the whole country that the winning party
will draft new constitution at the new Parliament. No problem, they
were happy, they know they need constitution and they will work out
among the people and the minorities and of course their Army, their
moral was high and their future was bright. All the people were
looking forward to vote and built Burma as a new Democratic country.
Do you know that election was the most successful election in history
of Burma? Do you know that election results (over 80% wining) broke
Burmese and a few world records for people supporting a political
party? Do you know the defending, one and only leading party (BSPP)
got only 2% vote broke another world record for loosing result for a
leading party of 26 years? That shows Burmese people are highly
political minded and can break international election records if they
wish. The whole world was cheered up Burmese for their election voting
and their success. Nobody said it is not to form government...blah
blah blah...like you Mr. Tonkin

Don't you feel you have a duty to make every people very clear when
you hold election for your country? Don't say someone here knew this
and someone there knew that my intentions. After all, it is very
important election for Burma and for Burmese people, not for 50 or so
foreign correspondents abroad, very important to make your country
clear. Holding election is a very important and respectful job Mr.
Tonkin. You can't be joking if you are government and holding Multi
Party General Election and say "No.. No! it was only to wash my car
not to form the government" when you loose.
Don't say 50 million Burmese people do not understand what the
election was for, because you just do not like the outcome of their
decision and you want to manipulate the truth. It won't work in Burma,
you should try somewhere else.
Good luck Mr. Tonkin.

.

Relevant Pages

  • James - Second Posting to JRB
    ... I said this because we all know that the 1990 election ... many passionate young Burmese because they were stuck in their own ... not may Burmese like to segment politics ... refuge in Western countries in order for them to voice out political ...
    (soc.culture.burma)
  • Re: Good luck Mr. Tonkin
    ... to draft a new constitution, ... As I readily acknowledged, the SLORC committed a U-turn around June 1989, ... which they expected the election winners to follow (and which Daw Aung San ... Mr. Tonkin should know the election name was "1990 Multi Party General ...
    (soc.culture.burma)
  • Re: Good luck Mr. Tonkin
    ... Mr. Tonkin should know the election name was "1990 Multi Party General ... national TV that night that he will change the constitution to hold ... evil will try to obscure the truth. ...
    (soc.culture.burma)
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    ... The 2010 election challenges - Min Zin ... Burma's conflict is moving into a new phase of intractability. ... But the new constitution will ... In the 2007 index Burma ...
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  • Haltemprice and Howden result
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