Myanmar pro-junta party makes democracy pledge
Sunday, 10 October 2010
YANGON, Oct 9 (AFP): Myanmar's main pro-junta party running in the country's first elections in two decades has pledged to practise multi-party democracy and market- oriented economics, state media reported today.
Htay Oo, chief of the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) which is seen as having a major advantage in the November polls, made the claims in a 15-minute speech on state TV and radio late Friday and later printed in newspapers.
"Putting the national interest in the fore, our party will practise the multiparty democracy system, market-oriented economic system and independent and active foreign policies," he was quoted as saying by the New Light of Myanmar newspaper.
Htay Oo, a minister in the current government, also pledged freedom of religion and a better socio-economic status for farmers and other workers, as well as ensuring their rights according to the constitution.
The well-funded USDP is expected to win the controversial election on November 7, which has been widely criticised as a sham that will give a civilian face to military rule.
Htay Oo, chief of the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) which is seen as having a major advantage in the November polls, made the claims in a 15-minute speech on state TV and radio late Friday and later printed in newspapers.
"Putting the national interest in the fore, our party will practise the multiparty democracy system, market-oriented economic system and independent and active foreign policies," he was quoted as saying by the New Light of Myanmar newspaper.
Htay Oo, a minister in the current government, also pledged freedom of religion and a better socio-economic status for farmers and other workers, as well as ensuring their rights according to the constitution.
The well-funded USDP is expected to win the controversial election on November 7, which has been widely criticised as a sham that will give a civilian face to military rule.