The U.S. State Department has repeated its demand that Rangoon allow all ethnic groups in Burma to be represented in a new democracy.
Spokesman Richard Boucher said (Wednesday) that all the voices of Burma need to be heard in order for any political change to happen.
Mr. Boucher said it is clear to the whole world that the people of Burma have not been allowed to take part in this process.
Earlier, Burma rejected recent comments by the State Department that were skeptical of Rangoon's promise to hold a national convention next year with the opposition.
The regime said the criticism did nothing to help it start political reforms.
The State Department also said it did not want to get into a daily "back and forth" debate with Rangoon.
Information for this report is provided by AFP and State Department Press Release.