By EDITH M. LEDERER,

AP

Posted: 2008-03-18 22:23:06

UNITED NATIONS (AP) – The U.N. envoy to Myanmar expressed disappointment Tuesday that his latest visit to the military-ruled Southeast Asian nation did not produce “any immediate tangible outcome.”

Ibrahim Gambari was rebuffed when he suggested that the military junta amend its “roadmap to democracy” to include input from the country’s pro-democracy movement and other political parties.

The junta also rejected a U.N. role in its referendum in May on a new constitution, which is to be followed by a general election in 2010, key steps in the seven-point roadmap.

Gambari told the U.N. Security Council that his five-day visit did provide an opportunity to prod the government to engage the opposition to move forward toward “a peaceful, prosperous, democratic Myanmar with full respect for the human rights of its people.”

But during Gambari’s visit, which ended on March 10, the junta again rebuffed his efforts to meet with its chairman, Senior Gen. Than Shwe – just as it did during his last visit in November. The U.N. had described a meeting with Than Shwe as one of the main goals of his visit.

While Gambari met twice with detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, the military rulers turned down U.N. suggestions that they free political prisoners including Suu Kyi and accelerate a dialogue with her to foster political reconciliation. The Nobel Peace Prize winner has been detained for 12 of the past 18 years.

Myanmar has been ruled by the military since 1962. The current junta seized power in 1988 and refused to honor the results of a 1990 general election won by Suu Kyi’s party.

Gambari expressed regret that he was not able to meet Myanmar’s senior leadership, the 88 Generation Students group whose street protests ignited last year’s massive pro-democracy demonstrations that were put down by the army in September, representatives of ethnic minorities and the 1990s MPs-elect.

“Moreover, whereas each of my previous visits produced some result that could be built upon, it is a source of disappointment that this latest visit did not yield any immediate tangible outcome,” Gambari said.

U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad expressed disappointment at “the lack of any concrete achievement” during Gambari’s visit.

He called the constitutional process and referendum seriously flawed – stressing that the draft constitution hasn’t been circulated and can’t be debated because of laws that prohibit the right to assembly.

While the text has not been made public, the guidelines on which the constitution is based were drawn up by a convention established by the military and include clauses that would bar Suu Kyi from public office and perpetuate the army’s leading role in politics.

Khalilzad said the United States plans to introduce a new draft statement to the council “based on our concerns and the lack of progress with regard to the key issues,” including the upcoming referendum.

Myanmar’s U.N. Ambassador U Kyaw Tint Swe told the council that “no Security Council action is warranted with regard to Myanmar.”

Expressing admiration for Gambari, he insisted the National Convention that laid down the principles for the constitution was “inclusive” – with 635 delegates from ethnic nationalities, representatives of political parties, and 17 insurgent groups “that have returned to the legal fold.”

The government, he added, “has come a long way and has made significant strides in our seven-step political roadmap.”

Swe said he was “gratified that many of our neighbors, who see the situation as it really is, acknowledged the progress made in this recent visit.”

China’s U.N. Ambassador Wang Guangya, whose country has close ties to Myanmar, said “I think real progress is being made and many council members argue that it is not up to the council to dictate to other people whether they should have an election or referendum.

”

“Definitely, the seven-stage proposal from the authorities represents a good progress,” Wang said. “But it is not perfect. It can be improved. So, definitely, I think we all want a more inclusive process.”