Burma: referendum, election dates announced

The Burmese military government has set a date for a referendum on a new constitution: it is to be held in May of this year, with a general election to follow in 2010.

The regime had set out what it called a roadmap for democracy but had not previously given any firm timetable.

It made the announcement in a statement on state television and radio.

"It is suitable to change the military administration to a democratic, civil administrative system, as good fundamentals have been established," the regime said.

The Burmese have not voted since 1990, when the army invalidated an election won by the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD).

The country has been without a constitution for two decades: a new one is in the last stages of being drafted by a Convention appointed by the ruling generals, from which the NLD has been excluded.

The United Nations and western powers have dismissed the work of the Convention as a sham.