Burma leader warns of poll 'saboteurs'

The head of Burma's ruling junta warned of "saboteurs" conspiring to derail the country's election due to be held later this year, state media reported Saturday.

Burma leader senior general Than Shwe salutes from a podium as he reviews troops during a military parade marking the country's 65th Armed Forces Day at a parade ground in Naypyidaw, on March 27. Than Shwe warned of "saboteurs" conspiring to derail the country's election due to be held later this year, state media reported Saturday.

General Than Shwe said "conspiracy saboteurs from inside and outside the country" were attempting to "harm the election", in a May Day address published in the New Light of Burma newspaper.

The country has been hit by several bombings in recent years which the junta blames on armed exile groups or ethnic rebels, including a recent spate of deadly blasts as the government prepares for its first election in two decades.

"I would urge you all to ward off attempts of saboteurs and aliens to interfere and to sow seeds of mistrust in our country," Than Shwe said.

Two hydropower projects were the target of a series of explosions, while 10 people were killed and at least 170 wounded on April 15, when a water festival in Rangoon was bombed in the city's worst attack in five years.

The blasts came as the country readies for the election, which critics say will lack credibility because of laws that effectively bar opposition leader and democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from taking part.

The poll will be the country's first since 1990 but Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party has announced a boycott over the rules, which would have forced it to expel her as leader if it wanted to participate.

Burma premier Thein Sein and 22 other ministers retired from their military posts Monday, in a move seen as converting the leadership to civilian form ahead of the vote.

The military has ruled Burma since 1962, partly justifying its grip on power with the need to fend off ethnic rebellions that have plagued remote border areas for decades.

Armed minorities in Karen and Shan states continue to fight the government along the country's eastern border, alleging they are subject to neglect and mistreatment.

Foreign governments have urged the regime to take steps to ensure the vote is free, fair and credible. The last was won by the NLD in a landslide but never recognised by the junta.

Source :http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asia/176499/burma-leader-warns-of-poll-aboteurs