US House asks UN to reject Myanmar vote outcome

Agence France Presse

May 6 2008

Washington -- The US House of Representatives passed a resolution Tuesday calling on the UN Security Council not to accept the outcome of a constitutional referendum which Myanmar's military rulers want to hold despite a deadly cyclone disaster.

The ruling generals defied calls to postpone Saturday's referendum on a new constitution -- part of the junta's slow-moving "road map" to democracy -- saying it would proceed except in the areas hardest hit by the cyclone that has left more than 22,000 people.

Democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi's opposition National League for Democracy had said it was "extremely unacceptable" for the vote to go ahead when storm survivors were in desperate need of assistance.

"This referendum is a sham, a farce, fake, pretend, bogus, fraudulent, spurious, and phony," said Republican lawmaker Rush Holt, who introduced the resolution.

"Use whatever words you want, but it is important the United States stands strong with the people of Burma (Myanmar), stands for true democracy, and stands firmly against this justification for a power grab," Holt said.

Democratic chairman of the House foreign affairs committee Howard Berman said the resolution also underscored the need for the junta to engage in a "real dialogue" with Aung San Suu Kyi and ethnic representatives to bring Myanmar "toward a true democratic future."

The junta rejected a UN call to establish an all-party inclusive transparent process of constitution writing and UN assistance to help ensure the referendum was free and fair, the lawmakers said.