Despite previous criticism of Burma’s constitution-drafting National Convention, one ethnic ceasefire group appears eager to contest elections that have been expected to follow the resolution of the controversial convention, a central committee member of the group said.

Nai Aye Mon of the New Mon State Party suggested that his party might consider participating in forthcoming elections in Burma. The country’s ruling junta has yet to announce details about future elections, but many are speculating that elections will be held in 2008, following the conclusion of the National Convention.

Largely considered a sham-the delegates have been handpicked by the junta, and many groups, including the leading opposition group the National League for Democracy are not represented-the convention has dragged on for some 15 years. The NMSP joined the convention in 2004.

Burma’s last national election was held in 1990. The NLD won by a landslide by the regime refused to recognize the results.

Since signing a ceasefire agreement with Burma’s ruling State Peace and Development Council in June 1995, the NMSP has faced increased restrictions on its activities in party-controlled areas, which include the districts of Moulmein, Tavoy and Thaton in southern Burma. The group has only limited control over local development projects in these areas and is prohibited from bolstering its military, according to Nai Aye Mon.

However, the SPDC has enlarged its military presence in the area. In 2000, there were only two regiments of Burmese soldiers in Ye Township, Mon State. Now there are 10, Nai Aye Mon said.

The reinforcements, Nai Aye Mon adds, are thought to be there to block the movement of ceasefire groups and other armed ethnic organizations such as the Karen National Union, which has no ceasefire agreement with the SPDC.

Nai Aye Mon, head of the Mon National Relief and Development Committee, says that there were about 20,000 internally displaced persons in Mon State due to land confiscations by the SPDC in the years following the ceasefire agreement, though in recent years there have been no such reports.

“We won’t surrender our arms,” Nai Aye Mon said when asked if the NMSP would resume its armed conflict. “We will be on the path of dialogue for our goal. I can’t say we will fight again, but I can’t say we won’t.”