"As Burma?s first election in 20 years approaches, the country?s dictator, Snr-Gen Than Shwe, is busy putting the finishing touches on his plans to renew his regime?s lease on life under a civilian veneer. The Nov. 7 election, part of the junta?s ?road map to disciplined democracy,? will take the country a step closer to permanent military domination, both by putting into effect a Constitution that guarantees 25 percent of the seats in parliament to military appointees and by excluding or marginalizing any credible democratic opposition..."