UN urges 'inclusive, credible' political process in Myanmar
Source: 05-MAY-2008 Intellasia | AFP
May 5, 2008 - 7:00:10 AM The UN Security Council on Friday unanimously urged Myanmar authorities to ensure an "inclusive and credible" political process and reminded them of their pledge to ensure a "free and fair" constitutional referendum next week.

Myanmar police officers patrol in Yangon in 2006. The UN Security Council on Friday unanimously urged Myanmar authorities to ensure an "inclusive and credible" political process and reminded them of their pledge to ensure a "free and fair" constitutional referendum next week. (AFP/FIle/Saeed Khan)

The 15-member council adopted a non-binding statement that underlines the need for Myanmar "to create an atmosphere conducive to an inclusive and credible process, including the full participation of all political actors and respect for fundamental freedoms."

The military regime in Myanmar has said it will hold a referendum on May 10 to set the stage for multi-party elections in 2010.

Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) and other pro-democracy groups are calling for a "No" vote, but they have little ability to campaign effectively because the ruling junta has outlawed speeches and leaflets about the referendum.

The council, under British presidency this month, also reaffirmed "its unwavering support" for UN chief Ban Ki-moon's good offices mission and expressed appreciation for the mediation undertaken by UN troubleshooter Ibrahim Gambari.

It called on the Myanmar government and all parties concerned to cooperate fully with the United Nations and welcomed the important role played by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in backing the UN mediation in Myanmar.

US Ambassador to the UN Zalmay Khalilzad also highlighted previous council demands for "a genuine political dialogue," for all political actors "including and especially Aung San Suu Kyi" to be involved and for all political prisoners and detainees to be released.

His French counterpart, Jean-Maurice Ripert, undercored the full consensus within the council on the statement.

"We take the government at its word. They indicated that they wanted to hold free and fair elections. We will judge that and we are establishing some criteria," he added, citing respect for basic freedoms and the need for participation by the opposition.

The referendum will be the first balloting in military-run Myanmar since 1990, when Aung San Suu Kyi led the NLD to a landslide victory that was never recognized by the junta. She remains under house arrest.