"One of the major issues proving to be an obstacle to the achievement of national reconciliation in Burma is the rival constitution writing processes initiated by opposing forces. As the competing political forces use the constitutional drafting process as a political football, the chance for dialogue and prospects for national reconciliation remain dim. The State Peace and Development Council's (SPDC) constitution drafting process, which started in January 1993, emerged as a method utilized by the junta to deter the National League for Democracy (NLD) from taking power. As the junta strictly controls the entire constitution writing process, other forces including the NLD and ethnic organizations who have signed ceasefire agreements with the junta, have been denied the right to freely participate in the junta initiated process..."