New York - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Monday renewed a call for the Myanmar government to hold democratic elections next year by involving all parties and freeing opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners. Ban said following a meeting with Myanmar's Prime Minister Thein Sein that he was still expecting an answer from the regime's senior leadership "in a timely manner" to his proposals regarding democratic reform and political prisoners' release.
"In particular, the secretary general made clear that the onus is on the government to create conditions for credible and inclusive elections, including the release of Suu Kyi and all political prisoners, as well as dialogue with all stakeholders," Ban said.
Ban visited Myanmar in May to renew his demands, saying that he had a "clear expectation" that a reply would be sent to him. Apparently Thein Sein did not bring the expected reply.
Ban said he intends to use his good offices to work out solutions to the "political, humanitarian and development challenges" Myanmar is facing.
Thein Sein told the UN General Assembly Monday that presidential and legislative elections in 2010 will be free and fair, with the participation of political parties.
Thein Sein, an Army general, is the highest-ranking Myanmar official to travel to the UN headquarters in years to address the 192-nation body. He avoided saying whether all political parties will be allowed to take part in the elections.
"The government is taking systematic steps to hold free and fair elections," he said. "Electoral laws will be promulgated and an election commission will be formed so that political parties can be formed and contest the elections."
The UN contested the organization of a referendum and adoption of Myanmar's new constitution in May 2008, while large parts of the country were devastated by Cyclone Nargis and millions of people, particularly inhabitants in the delta region, were displaced by the disaster.
The new constitution provides laws for the 2010 elections, a presidential system of governance and a two-chamber legislature.
Thein Sein said the constitution was approved by 92.48 per cent of eligible voters in the referendum.
"Democracy cannot be imposed from the outside and a system suitable for Myanmar can only form out of Myanmar society," he said, in a clear rebuttal of international demands for democratic reform in one of the world's most impoverished nations.
Thein Sein called for understanding from the international community and support for Myanmar as an emerging nation.
The UN has called for the release of all political prisoners, including Suu Kyi, leader of the main opposition party National League for Democracy. Myanmar said Suu Kyi cannot run for election next year because she was married to a Briton, who has passed away.
The military government last week released 7,114 political prisoners for their "good conduct," saying that they will be allowed to participate in the elections.
Thein Sein urged donor countries to fund the post-Cyclone Nargis recovery programmes, which the military government put at 691 million dollars from 2009 to 2011. He said only half of that amount has been received.
