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US criticises Myanmar reconvening National Convention |
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Washington, February 16, 2005|10:29 IST
The US State Department has nixed the Myanmar junta's decision to reconvene the National Convention, saying it meant little because pro-democracy leaders have not been invited.
On Thursday the junta will reconvene its National Convention. The National League for Democracy and other pro-democracy parties have been denied a voice in this process.
"Absent their participation, the National Convention cannot possibly reflect the true political aspirations of the Burmese people, nor can it conduct the meaningful dialogue that is needed to achieve genuine national reconciliation," asserted State Department spokesman Richard Boucher in a statement.
Without the full participation of the democratic opposition and ethnic minority groups, the National Convention lacks the legitimacy necessary to draft a constitution that is truly democratic and representative of the will of the Myanmar's people, he said.
The Committee Representing the People's Parliament, a group representing the democratic opposition, publicly repudiated the National Convention for the same reasons February 12.
Washington urged the junta to release Aung San Suu Kyi, U Tin Oo, Hkun Htun Oo and all political prisoners "immediately and unconditionally" and to engage them in the process of restoring democratic processes in the country.
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