Than Shwe

The World Next Week Political Masterstroke award goes to Burma's Senior-General Than Shwe, who has urged the Burmese people to vote in favour of a proposed constitution in an upcoming referendum later this month. Shwe made his comments on Burma's national Worker's Day, using the occasion to point out that the constitution has been partly drafted by workers' representatives.

However, critics are sceptical, claiming that worker input was actually minimal. The constitution -- drawn up over several years under the auspices of a National Convention -- was drafted by a 54-member commission that opponents claim was cherry-picked by the military.

The proposed constitution is part of the Burmese authorities 'Road Map to Democracy', and has attracted widespread criticism.

• This week, the Australian foreign minister decried the Road Map as a 'sham'.
• Last month the main opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) opposed the constitution, which would prohibit the NLD's long-suffering leader Aung San Suu Kyi from taking part in politics.