Singa****e says Myanmar's election date a positive development
Posted : Sun, 10 Feb 2008 13:01:06 GMT
Singa****e - Singa****e said Sunday Myanmar's plan to hold a
constitutional referendum in May and general election in 2010 was a
positive development. The city-state, which holds the chairman****p of
the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), expressed the
hope that the political process results in "peaceful national
reconciliation," the Foreign Ministry said.
Myanmar's military's junta, the target of international criticism for
its failure to turn over power to a democratically elected government
in 1990, said Saturday the referendum would be held to approve a new
constitution in May and democratic elections would be held in 2010.
The National League for Democracy party of Aung San Suu Kyi won the
1990 election, but the Nobel peace laureate was subsequently detained
and placed under house arrest.
Last year the international community increased pressure on the junta
to accelerate its plans for a return to democracy after authorities
brutally suppressed non-violent pro-democracy protesters in September.
At least 30 people were killed.
Singa****e sharply criticized the regime. ASEAN however came under
widespread criticism for not taking any action against Myanmar.
ASEAN includes Singa****e, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the
Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar.
Myanmar has not had a constitution since the last one was scrapped in
1988.
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