Burma's Junta Leader Says He May Relinquish Power in 2010
缅甸反对党派质疑军队将移交权力
The head of Burma's military junta, General Than Shwe, says he intends to give up control of the government to whoever wins elections in 2010. However, members of the opposition in Burma doubt the military will allow a transition to civilian rule.
缅甸军政府领导人丹瑞大将说，他准备把缅甸政府的控制权交给任何在2010年选举中获胜的人。不过缅甸反对党成员怀疑，军队是否会允许同意把权力移交给文职政府。
Burmese general Than Shwe went on national television, Thursday, to mark the country's Armed Forces Day holiday.
缅甸军政府领导人丹瑞大将为纪念缅甸建军节在全国电视台上露面。
A constitutional referendum is scheduled for May, paving the way for multi-party elections in 2010, at which time the general says power will be handed over.
缅甸定于5月份就一项宪法草案举行公投，为2010年的多党选举铺平道路。丹瑞大将说，届时他将交出权力。
In his speech, he said his government has what he describes as "a sincere aim for developing the country without any cravings for power."
丹瑞在讲话中表示，他的政府是一个“对国家发展有着真诚目标，但对权力却没有任何欲望”的政府。
But members of Burma's opposition are expressing doubt that the military has any intention of giving up power to civilians. Veteran opposition politician Thakin Chan Tun indicates it is likely General Than Shwe, who is now 77 years old, will have no choice but to give up power in two years' time, because of his age and health. But he says that does not mean the military will relinquish power.
但是缅甸反对党成员对军政府是否会把权力移交给文职政府表示了怀疑。反对党资深成员德钦貌吞说，丹瑞大将现年77岁，由于他的年龄和健康，在未来两年里他没有其他选择，很可能不得不放弃权力。
The politician says the basic principles of the constitution drafted by the military leaders allow for the military to retain control of much of the parliament and key posts in the government. He says the army will be able to continue to rule the country, even if Than Shwe gives up his post.
但是德钦貌吞说，这并不意味着军队也会放弃权力。他说，缅甸军队领导人起草的宪法草案的基本原则是，允许军队保持对议会的主要控制权，并保留关键的政府职位。即使丹瑞放弃他的职位，军队还会继续保持对缅甸的统治能力。
The military has ruled Burma since a coup in 1962. The military took over virtually every aspect of the Burmese economy, which has gone from being one of the most diverse and prosperous in Southeast Asia to one of the poorest. Despite being rich in natural gas, timber and other resources, per capita income is less than 240 dollars a year.
自从军队1962年发动军事政变以来一直统治缅甸。军队实际上控制着缅甸经济的每一个层面。缅甸从一个经济最具多样性、最繁荣的东南亚国家之一，跌落到一个最贫困的东南亚国家之一。虽然缅甸有着丰富的天然气、木材和其他资源，但是缅甸的人均收入却每年不到240美元。
A spike in fuel prices, last year, triggered mostly peaceful protests by thousands of Buddhist monks and others who demanded reforms.
去年燃油价格飙升引发了数千名佛教僧侣和其他人举行基本上和平的示威活动，要求实行改革。
Government forces used violence to crush the demonstrations and have continued to imprison people suspected of participating in protest activities. United Nations officials say more than 30 people were killed in the crackdown. Others say the figure is probably higher.
政府部队动用暴力镇压示威，并继续关押被怀疑参加了抗议活动的人士。联合国官员说，有30多人死于政府的镇压行动，但其他人说，这个数字可能更高。
The United States and other members of the international community have called on the Burmese leaders to undertake real democratic reforms and open a meaningful dialogue with political opponents, including opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been under house arrest for years.
美国和其他国际社会成员国呼吁缅甸领导人切实采取改革措施，并同包括反对派领袖昂山素季在内的政治反对派人士开展有实质意义的对话，昂山素季多年来一直被软禁。
Burmese leaders have launched what they call a "road map to democracy," approving a draft constitution that will go before voters in May. Washington has labeled the referendum a sham because it was drafted in a closed process by a hand-picked committee dominated by senior officials of the military government.
缅甸领导人启动了他们所称的“民主路线图”。他们批准一项宪法草案，选民将于今年5月进行表决。美国政府称这项公投是骗局，因为宪法草案是由政府筛选出来的、以军政府高级官员为主的委员会秘密起草的。
