U.N. Security Council urges credible vote in Myanmar

By Claudia Parsons

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The U.N. Security Council urged Myanmar's government on Friday to ensure a May 10 referendum on an army-drafted constitution is credible by allowing all political actors to participate.

The constitution is a key component of a seven-step "road map to democracy" meant to culminate in multiparty elections in 2010 and end nearly five decades of military rule.

The National League for Democracy, led by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, has rejected the charter since it gives the army a quarter of the seats in parliament, control of key ministries and the right to suspend the constitution at will.

Suu Kyi is under house arrest and opposition activists say their efforts to campaign for a "No" vote are being repressed by the government.

The United States has criticized the vote. President George W. Bush said it would not be "free, fair or credible" when he announced new sanctions on Thursday against state-owned companies to put pressure on the junta.

A statement approved unanimously by the Security Council on Friday noted "the commitment by the government of Myanmar to ensure that the referendum process will be free and fair."

"The Security Council underlines 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," it said.

The official policy statement is not legally binding, but because it required the consent of all 15 council members including Myanmar's powerful ally China, it was sought by the United States and others as an important sign of united pressure by the international community.