Myanmar PM calls for approving constitution draft in forthcoming referendum

China View
YANGON, April 6 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar Prime Minister General Thein Sein has called on the country's people to approve an already drawn-up constitution draft in the forthcoming nationwide referendum set for May, saying that the emergence of the state constitution is the duty of all citizens.

"The constitution that is instrumental for the emergence of a new nation will be approved very soon by holding the national referendum," Thein Sein said during his inspection tours to the country's northeastern Kayin state and southern Mon state in the last two days, the official newspaper New Light of Myanmar reported Sunday.

"The referendum is not for one person, the Tatmadaw (military),one party and one association, but for seeking unanimous approval for a constitution that is instrumental for building a new democratic nation," he said, adding that "the entire people are to actively participate in the tasks for emergence of a constitution."

He also called for "guarding against any destructive acts."

On Feb. 9, the ruling Myanmar military government announced the holding of a nationwide referendum in May to endorse a constitution completely drafted by a 54-member State Constitution Drafting Commission in accordance with the detailed basic principles adopted by the National Convention.

The Feb. 9 announcement also stated that after the referendum, a multi-party democracy general election to transform the military administration into democratic administration will follow in 2010 in accordance with the government's seven-step roadmap introduced in 2003.

The roadmap was outlined as reconvening the long-suspended national convention to lay down the principles for drafting the new constitution as the first step, followed by undergoing a national referendum on draft of the constitution, holding a general election to produce parliament representatives and forming a new democratic government.