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his is in response to the letter "Suu Kyi's participation in election", (The Jakarta Post, Aug. 31).

It is regrettable that apparently educated people such as Myint Lwin (the writer) is siding with the outcast regime that refuses to adapt itself to the changing trends of the world. Obviously he belongs to a small group of the regime's lackeys who either benefit from the generals' handouts or are simply jealous of the loved and respected Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

Myint Lwin quoted India among the nations that have constitutional conditions for contesting for public office but he forgot to mention that Sonia Gandhi, a full foreign-blooded Indian citizen, successfully led the opposition party and was unanimously chosen to lead a 15-party coalition government in the 2004 election, which made her eligible to become India's prime minister.

That is the modern civilized society where a government honors the chorus of the majority voices. Many countries do amend constitutions to suit the changing needs of the country and the people. Ironically, the generals did amend the 1947 Constitution several times but only out of their desperate and pitiable attempt to hold on to power.

One of the seven points of the Constitution Resolution declared by General Aung San in 1947, a month before his assassination, states: "The Constitution shall guarantee and secure for all the people of the Union justice, social, economic and political; equality of status, of opportunity, and before the law freedom of thought, expression, belief, worship, vocation, association and action, subject to law and public morality."

It all seems very desperate and pathetic that the writer brought up a single restricting clause of the Constitution, even if it has merits, while he ignored the regime's gross violation of the entire Constitution and other laws and regulations? Had any of the greedy military despots made half of the sacrifices San Suu Kyi has made and just somewhat improved the living conditions of the people, he would have been embraced as a leader by the people.

There wouldn't have been bloodshed. San Suu Kyi would have been at her husband's side when he was dying and today with her sons whom she hasn't seen for ages. The generals had abundant opportunities during the decades of their rule to rebound yet what they have done is to enrich themselves selling off every saleable resources of the country and pushing it into abysmal poverty.

Thus, it's unfitting in the first place to bring up the constitution, a term that the regime doesn't even understand let alone honor, as a basis to exclude San Suu Kyi from the election. My appeal to her: Please don't add insult to tremendous injuries already suffered by the Burmese people.