U.N.: Myanmar convention lacks credibility

UNITED NATIONS, May 17 (UPI) -- U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan warned Monday constitutional talks in Myanmar must be inclusive to be credible.

"The secretary-general notes with concern that Myanmar's National Convention was reconvened Monday without the involvement of the National League for Democracy and other political parties who won the majority of seats in the elections of 1990." said Annan's spokesman, Fred Eckhard, at U.N. World Headquarters in New York.

Eckhard added the secretary-general reiterated that, "for the National Convention to be credible, it must be all-inclusive and that all the delegates must be able to express their views without sanction."

The release of NLD leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, "who has clearly indicated her willingness to work with the government, and U Tin Oo, deputy chairman of the NLD, as well as the lifting of the remaining restrictions on the NLD, are essential if the international community is to recognize the national convention as a legitimate forum for democratization and national reconciliation in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma),"Eckhard said.

He said Annan was "dismayed that, despite receiving assurances from the Government, the State Peace and Development Council did not take these necessary steps."