Myanmar expects new constitution this year, Cambodian minister says

PHNOM PENH, May 23 Kyodo

Myanmar's ruling generals expect to see a new constitution within this year and promised an eventual election, Hor Namhong, Cambodia's foreign minister said Wednesday, shortly after returning from Myanmar.

He said that Lt. Gen. Thein Sein, Myanmar's acting prime minister, and Sr. Gen. Than Shwe, head of the junta, both stressed a commitment to democratization.

''Seven out of 15 chapters in the (new) constitution have been drafted, and the rest of eight chapters are expected to wrap up by the end of this year,'' Hor Namhong quoted the generals as telling Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

They added that a public referendum on the new constitution and a presidential election will be among the following steps.

The generals also asked for ''understanding'' of ''difficulties'' Myanmar faces, including rebellious armed groups and more than 100 ethnic groups.

Asked if Cambodia had pressed for the release of detained democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Hor Namhong said, ''It was not Cambodia's position, and neither other ASEAN member states, to interfere in another's internal affairs.''

Hun Sen made a three-day visit through Wednesday to Myanmar to strengthen bilateral relations and to push for implementation of already signed agreements and a memorandum of understanding.

Since 1996, Cambodia has signed pacts with Myanmar on tourism, flight services and cultural cooperation, and an MOU on agricultural and fishery cooperation.

During the visit, Hun Sen had discussions with Thein Sein and called on Than Shwe.

Senior government sources told Kyodo News that Hun Sen did not touch on the issue of Suu Kyi's detention when he met with his Myanmar counterpart, nor was he allowed to meet with Suu Kyi.

Ahead of Hun Sen's departure for Myanmar, Cambodian opposition party leader Sam Rainsy suggested Hun Sen should raise democratic reform with the junta and press for the release of Suu Kyi.

''I think that what Cambodia should do is to tell Myanmar to release Aung San Suu Kyi and to make democratic reform. Such a meeting (with Myanmar's leader) could be useful if there is an increase of pressure on military-ruled Myanmar,'' Sam Rainsy had said.

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