U.N. envoy wants 'credible' Myanmar democracy roadmap

By Teruaki Ueno

TOKYO (Reuters) - U.N. envoy to Myanmar Ibrahim Gambari said on Thursday that he would urge Myanmar's military government to take steps to make its roadmap to democracy "credible and inclusive" when he visits the country next week.

"We would like to discuss with them how to make this process credible," Gambari told Reuters in an interview.

In a surprise move, the former Burma's ruling generals this month announced a referendum in May on a new constitution, to be followed by a general election in 2010. If held, the poll would be the first since a 1990 election whose outcome the military ignored.

But opposition figures and some Western countries have voiced skepticism whether the junta will be willing to let the opposition compete in the vote or to relinquish power.

"We would like to encourage them to take necessary steps to create the right atmosphere to promote a free and fair outcome which will enjoy support internally and externally," said Gambari, who plans to visit Myanmar in the first week of March.

"We would like to encourage the government to try to make it credible and inclusive. There are many ways in which this can be done."

He said he would urge Myanmar's military junta to free detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and political prisoners to put the country on the path to democracy.

"Because it will contribute to a positive atmosphere for the referendum and the elections," he said. "Her continued detention will continue to be a problem for the regime, whereas she should be part of the solution in terms of meeting challenges facing the economy."