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    The document summarizes the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs' statement on Burma's upcoming constitutional referendum. The minister expresses that the referendum process will not reflect the will of the Burmese people and is intended to entrench the military's grip on power. He calls on the Burmese regime to engage in genuine political reform and national reconciliation rather than a sham referendum process that excludes opposition groups.

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    The document summarizes the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs' statement on Burma's upcoming constitutional referendum. The minister expresses that the referendum process will not reflect the will of the Burmese people and is intended to entrench the military's grip on power. He calls on the Burmese regime to engage in genuine political reform and national reconciliation rather than a sham referendum process that excludes opposition groups.

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    13 views1 page

    Burma Constitutional Referendum

    Uploaded by

    niknayman
    The document summarizes the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs' statement on Burma's upcoming constitutional referendum. The minister expresses that the referendum process will not reflect the will of the Burmese people and is intended to entrench the military's grip on power. He calls on the Burmese regime to engage in genuine political reform and national reconciliation rather than a sham referendum process that excludes opposition groups.

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    MEDIA RELEASE

    MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS


    THE HON STEPHEN SMITH, MP
    FA064 1 May 2008

    BURMA: CONSTITUTIONAL REFERENDUM

    On 29 and 30 April, the Burmese Embassy in Canberra conducted voting for certain Burmese
    citizens ahead of the constitutional referendum in Burma on 10 May.

    Regrettably, this process does not signal any intention by the Burmese regime to listen to the
    will of the Burmese people on their future.

    The proposed constitution is deeply flawed and intended only to entrench the military’s grip
    on power. It was drafted without any genuine involvement of opposition groups, including
    the National League for Democracy, and Burma’s ethnic minorities.

    The regime’s lack of good faith is clear as criticism of the referendum or the constitution is
    illegal in Burma.

    Australia has consistently called for the full and free participation of all political players in
    Burma in a political reform process supported by the international community.

    I fully understand the frustration of the Burmese community in Australia at the failings in
    current processes, including the frustration of those Burmese community members living
    outside of Canberra.

    I call again on the Burmese regime to engage in a genuine process of political reform and
    national reconciliation, not a sham ‘roadmap to democracy’.

    Media contact: Courtney Hoogen (Minister’s Office) 0488 244 901


    Departmental 02 6261 1555 www.dfat.gov.au

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