Yes....or no?

On a momentous day for democracy in the United Kingdom, I have found myself contemplating the difference between the freedoms we enjoy here in the UK and the process of democratisation that continues in Burma.

The political horseplay north of the border by both yes and no supporters, and the evident passions aroused by the whole independence question has given rise to an engagement in the political process that I am finding compelling.
97% of the electorate in Scotland have registered having faith in a voting system that, with a high turnout and a result too close to call, means that every vote counts.

Next year sees significant elections in Burma. How different must the electorate there regard their democratic process.

Of course one could assume the result to be a forgone conclusion. As the leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD) Aung San Suu Kyi has both popularity and a nationwide profile on her side.

But she cannot stand, thanks to a military drafted clause in the constitution that prohibits her being the president, because her late husband and two children are foreigners.

A change in the constitution is required, but that is currently not possible as the military leadership have a veto over any such amendment. This is a live issue: the Burmese parliament session to resolve the issue opened on September 11th and will continue over the next few weeks, so we can expect it to be a hot topic during our visit next month.

But in a country where freedom of expression has been suppressed for so long I don't suppose we should expect to see a Princes Street style engagement between both parties in this constitutional reform debate.

http://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/parliament-09112014165347.html

Visa process completed, but not without irony.....

A couple of nights ago I settled down to watch Luc Besson's 2012 film The Lady. It's a beautifully made film about Aung San Suu Kyi, and an excellent introduction to the recent political history of the struggle for democracy in Burma.

The film focusses on her political struggle and the personal sacrifices she made during her time under house arrest (in total for 15 years of the past 21) as her role as the popular leader of the National League for Democracy grew. Unable to leave the country in the knowledge that if she did she would not be allowed to return,  she was unable to see her family and in particular her husband , the Oxford academic Michael Aris, as he fought and eventually succumbed to prostate cancer. In fact they did not see each other between 1995 until his death in 1998.

The latter part of the film makes much of the many attempts by numerous statesmen to have Aris granted a visa to enable him to visit his wife in Burma as his health deteriorates.  Each and every one is rejected.

So it was with a sense of huge irony that I collected mine from the Myanmar Embassy this week. Particularly so as the building in Mayfair, just up from Berkeley Square, actually features in the film, (Aris is summoned to the Ambassador who urges him to persuade his wife to come back to England. He refuses.)








Unlike all their many attempts, just one simple form, one payment of £14 and a wait of three working days and I have my visa in my hand. But then my wife isn't the daughter of  the man who founded the modern Burmese army and negotiated Burma's independence from the British Empire in 1947.

The countdown begins.....

It's a funny thing. When I took the plunge and decided to sign up for my second Asian cycle adventure it seemed a life time away.

But now the preparations are ramping up with just 46 days to go before the off.

I'll collect my visa from the Myanmar embassy tomorrow, I'm ramping up the training and enjoying researching the history of this country that still remains a mystery to many, not least me.

I'm a little anxious in reading lonely planet.... Judging from their description of the medical facilities I certainly don't want to fall off my steed, and am wondering how I get hold of pristine mint condition dollar notes. Nothing else is acceptable, apparently.

But the excitement is building in anticipation.

Biggest challenge now is to keep the fundraising going. I'm at least £875 short of the target. An enormous thank you to those who have been so generous.

And if you haven't I would be so grateful, and I hope that through this blog it will be only too apparent how your contribution will have made a genuine difference.