Myanmar warns embassies ahead of referendum
Myanmar's military government Thursday warned foreign embassies not to support Aung San Suu Kyi's pro-democracy party, as the nation gears up for a referendum on a constitution opposed by her supporters.
The warning carried in the official New Light of Myanmar newspaper came the morning after the regime announced that the referendum would be held on May 10.
Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party is urging voters to reject the constitution, saying it will not bring democracy to the country, which has been ruled by the military since 1962.
"Certain foreign powers, with the intention of interfering in the internal affairs of Myanmar, are now ... aiding and abetting some local political parties to destabilise the country," the paper said.
"Some diplomats of certain foreign embassies in Yangon regularly visit NLD (headquarters), hold talks and give directives to harm the interests of the nation and the people," the paper said.
"The embassies should stop such activities," the government mouthpiece said.
The ruling junta says the new constitution will help create a "discipline-flourishing democracy," with multiparty elections set for 2010.
But critics say the constitution will give the generals a dominant role in government, even after the polls.
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