Ever since General Ne Win took power in Burma 14 months ago, he has worked conscientiously at clearing Rangoon's garbage-strewn streets, cracking down on Communist rebels in the northern jungles, improving the balance between the nation's agriculture and light industry. But he was one soldier who meant his often expressed desire to step down as soon as possible. Burma's politicians, whose squabbling and corrupt ways led to the military takeover in the first place, got a go-ahead last month with Ne Win's promise of elections in late January or early February.
Actually Burma's pols have been electioneering ever since last...