The joint statement was issued by ethnic and pro-democracy forces in exile after the SPDC announced the holding of referendum in May this year and new elections in 2010. This statement ends the controversy and debate among the exiled forces on their tactical move either to boycott or go for a 'NO' vote in forthcoming referendum.
The statement jointly issued yesterday by National Council of Union of Burma (NCUB), National Coalition Government of Union of Burma (NCGUB), Ethnic Nationalities Council (ENC), Women's League of Burma (WLB), Federation of Democracy for Burma (FDB), Students and Youth Congress of Burma (SYCB), Nationalities Youth Forum (NY Forum) says, "we cannot totally accept the referendum which is leading to the perpetuation of military dictatorship rather than ethnic unity".
"We urge the people to cast their 'NO' vote if the regime really holds its referendum and pushes their plans at any cost. This is not the way out for Burma," Dr. Sann Aung, Minister of NCGUB said.
NCGUB still firmly believes the tripartite dialogue is a must in Burma and it will urge the regime to re-enter dialogue through the UN Special Envoy Mr. Gambari, Dr. Sann Aung added.
Similarly the National League for Democracy (NLD) yesterday criticized the regime's plan to hold a referendum in May by saying that it will undermine the national reconciliation process.
The NLD's statement said that the regime's plan is contrary to the 'all inclusive' principle being advocated and called for by the international community including the UN.
The NLD won overwhelmingly in 1990 general elections but the junta is still refusing to honour the election outcome and its leader Daw Aung Sann Kyi is still under detention.
The regime turned its back on Notification (1/90) issued by themselves which says the drafting of the constitution is the business of elected MPs. Then the regime took 14 years to draft this new constitution with its handpicked National Convention delegates. The draft cannot be freely criticized and deliberated.
Moreover it announced that the new election will be held in 2010 in accordance with the new constitution and bars Daw Aung Sann Suu Kyi from contesting in the fresh elections.
