WASHINGTON—Following the announcement by the Burmese military regime that it will hold an election on November 7, the Obama Administration criticized the election process, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon restated his previous call for an inclusive, free and fair election and both demanded that all political prisoners be released.
“This election cannot be inclusive or credible under current circumstances,” US State Department Deputy Spokesman Mark Toner told The Irrawaddy. “We remain concerned about the lack of a level playing field and the oppressive political environment in Burma.”
“The regime also restricts the basic rights and freedoms of Burma’s people,” said Toner.
“We urge the authorities to release all political prisoners and to enter into genuine dialogue with all stakeholders as a first step towards national reconciliation,” Toner said in response to a question.
Ban Ki-moon on Friday urged the junta to immediately release all political prisoners so that they can freely participate in the political life of Burma.
“The Secretary-General reiterates his call on Myanmar’s [Burma’s] authorities to honor their publicly stated commitments to hold inclusive, free and fair elections in order to advance the prospects of peace, democracy and development for Myanmar,” his spokesman, Martin Nesirky, told reporters at the UN headquarters in New York.
“As essential steps for any national reconciliation and democratic transition process, the Secretary-General strongly urges the authorities to ensure that fundamental freedoms are upheld for all citizens of Myanmar and to release all remaining political prisoners without delay so that they can freely participate in the political life of their country,” Nesirky said.
Responding to a question on voting in the elections, the spokesperson said Ban Ki-moon has been a leading voice in expressing the UN’s and the international community’s concerns, expectations and encouragements around the election process, including the need for Burmese authorities to take steps to ensure that the country’s first elections in 20 years are credible and inclusive.
“He has also been very clear that the UN respects the decisions of all parties with regards to the election,” the spokesman said.
Nesirky said the UN secretary-general and his special advisor remain closely engaged with the Burmese authorities. “But they do feel that this process requires more cooperation from Myanmar and all concerned,” he said, adding that the secretary-general will be able to elaborate further on the UN position when he reports to the UN General Assembly.
Meanwhile, a senior US Republican lawmaker called the junta’ election a “mockery” of the democratic process.
“Although the Burmese junta will characterize the charade it announced today as an election––an exercise that only the junta considers meaningful––November 7, 2010 will be just another day in Burma, marked by continued government oppression and hardship for its people,” said Senator Mitch McConnell.
“I urge President Obama to renew his support for Aung San Suu Kyi and pro-democracy forces within Burma and work to ensure that elements of the international community are not tempted to recognize this mockery of the democratic process,” he said.
"As the United States and the United Nations fail to exercise effective pressure on the regime, the generals in Burma are now confident that the international community can't and won't do anything beyond issuing statements to stop their crimes against humanity and plan to build a permanent military dictatorship in the country,” said Aung Din of the US Campaign for Burma.
“That's why they are now moving forward to hold the sham election. Even if they can't stop the regime's plot and atrocities, at least the US and the UN should denounce and reject the regime's election," Aung Din told The Irrawaddy.
