State media reported Saturday that Burma's
deputy leader urged military officers to take responsibility for the success of
next year's planned elections.
The New Light of Myanmar newspaper quoted
General Maung Aye as telling a graduating class of new officers Friday that it
was their job to ensure the country's transition to democracy. The general said
election violence has destabilized some countries where democracy had not been
mature.
The precise election date has
not been set and it is not known who will be running. Opposition leader Aung San
Suu Kyi has been forbidden from participating, because she was once married to a
British citizen.
Western nations have
denounced Burma's new constitution and next year's vote as a sham designed to
entrench military rule.
Some information for this
report was provided by AFP and AP.