Referendum plans unaffected by cyclone or U.N.

Mizzima News

Monday, 05 May 2008 12:47

Chiang Mai – Despite the devastation wrought upon Burma by Cyclone Nargis and a Security Council statement calling for an inclusive polling process, Burma's ruling junta remains steadfast in its intent to hold the referendum as scheduled.  One week before the May 10 referendum date, Cyclone Nargis tore through lower Burma, paralyzing the country's infrastructure, causing widespread damage to property and killing at least 350 – a figure likely to rise in the days and weeks ahead.  On Friday, in New York, the United Nations Security Council issued a mild denouncement to the regime's planned referendum, urging the regime to hold the constitutional polling in at atmosphere of full and free participation.  However, Burmese state media this morning reported that the government has no intention of altering its timetable or process for the historic May 10 vote. This, despite growing arguments from activists and opposition members that the state's resources would be better committed at this time toward a relief effort.  The junta has yet to respond to an offer of United Nations assistance in addressing the humanitarian and reconstruction needs of the country in the wake of the killer storm.  In its statement, the Security Council brought notice of the "need for the Government of Myanmar to establish the conditions and create an atmosphere conducive to an inclusive and credible process, including the full participation of all political actors and respect for fundamental political freedoms." The release also reconfirmed the body's support for the mission of the Special Envoy to Burma, Ibrahim Gambari.  However, with Gambari also harking on the necessity of a free and fair poll and his endeavors to foment any meaningful dialogue between the government and opposition leaders in shambles, the United Nations – as with Cyclone Nargis – appears unable to deter the junta's unilateral road-map. < Prev   Next >