Elected Burmese Lawmakers Send Letter to UN Secretary General

Burmese opposition politicians, elected to parliament in 1990 but barred from taking office, are urging the United Nations to further promote political reform in the military-ruled country.

In a letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, more than 90 opposition politicians applaud the world body's efforts to promote change in Burma and urged it to do more.

In the letter, they ask the UN to help them play a more concrete role in drafting a new constitution for Burma. They also warn that if they are not allowed to participate in the process, Burma's current leaders will come up with a new constitution that will try to legitimize their military rule.

The lawmakers-elect also outline their own version of what Burma's military government calls its seven-step road map to democracy.

The opposition National League for Democracy won national elections in 1990, but Burma's military leaders refused to recognize those results.

Burma held its first constitutional convention in 1993, but talks stalled in 1995 after NLD members walked out. They did not resume until 2004, and began what is supposed to be their last and final session last month.