Daily Press Briefing
Sean McCormack, Spokesman
Washington, DC
April 10, 2008

12:36 p.m. EDTGood afternoon.

McCormack: At this rate, Lambros, you’re going to get in, like, 10, 15 questions.

(Laughter.)

McCormack: I’m not surprised. Let’s go ahead and start off with Matt.

Q: I was wondering if the State Department has had a chance to take a look at the new draft to Burmese constitution. It has now been published and will be voted on next month. It has some unusual provisions.

A: Right. We have just been able to take a look at it and a first reading indicates some issues of serious concern. It, at first glance, would appear intended only to perpetuate the rule of the existing military junta in Burma. It does not provide for the kind of open, serious and sustained dialogue with the democratic opposition forces in Burma that we, as well as other members of the international community, have called for, and that, for example, Aung San Suu Kyi herself has called for. So at first glance, the – this draft constitution that the regime intends to put to a vote does not give much hope to those who are looking for real democratic change in Burma.The Rangoon government is claiming today that the – that Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi’s party is taking its cues from foreign governments and that foreign embassies are interfering in the political process in that country.That’s a canard. Look, the – these – Aung San Suu Kyi and those who are pushing for democratic change in Burma are Burmese patriots who are — who have an interest in a better future for all of the people of their country. These are people who have been working on these issues long before the international spotlight ever focused on them.