Burma’s Quick-Change Artists

As the military in Burma prepares to replace itself with a civilian government, as per new regulations in the country’s 2008 constitution, the generals of the ruling junta are shedding their military ranks and — voilà! — transforming themselves into respectable civilian politicians.

Many analysts, as well as Burma’s opposition, see parliamentary elections coming up later this year as a mere ruse to attempt to give the military rulers legitimacy. –JCL

The New York Times:

It is an obvious move when generals in a military junta decide to step aside in favor of civilian rule: shed military ranks and uniforms and transform themselves into civilians.

Last week, several cabinet members in Myanmar’s junta did a quick change, resigning from the armed forces, apparently in preparation for parliamentary elections expected later this year.

Under a new Constitution adopted in 2008, the military that has ruled Myanmar, formerly Burma, since 1962 is preparing to replace itself with a civilian government that includes a 440-member House of Representatives.

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