1. On April 9th, the Burmese Military regime, the " State Peace and Development Council" announced through decree 4/2008 of its national referendum commission, that it will hold a national referendum on a new, proposed constitution on 10th May 2008.

2. We understand that cease-fired ethnic nationalities' organizations have witnessed undemocratic principles and procedures of the Nyaung-Hna-Pin convention (National Convention) that produced the basic principles of the new constitution, which does not reflect democratic or ethnic rights. Together with ethnic cease-fire organizations, we also see that the principles, adopted from this so-called "national convention" will not lead to a democratic federal union of Burma. Instead, these principles will guarantee military rule in Burma.

3. We also believe that cease-fire ethnic nationalities' organizations have noticed every effort of the military regime to approve this constitution through its May 10, 2008 national referendum.

4. We therefore view that it is vitally essential to reject the regime’s draft constitution by casting a "No" vote from the entire-people of Burma. This "No" vote will contribute to positive changes to the country and every-day life of every citizen. It will also block constitutionally- granted-military -rule (fascism) in Burma.

5. We also understand that if this constitution is approved, the existence of ethnic resistance armies, built through lives, blood, and tears of so many ethnic nationalities' peoples for so many years will be abolished. The political bodies of those armies will also be forced to surrender to the regime without the political or ethnic rights for which they have strived for many decades. Political parties, organizations and individuals who surrender will be remembered in history as having betrayed
the Burmese people.

6. We have learnt that the Burmese generals have been pressing cease-fire organizations for a 'Yes" vote on the May 10 national referendum. One major ethnic cease-fire organization ordered its members and soldiers to remain neutral on the national referendum. Unfortunately, the order to remain neutral favours the regime indirectly. The military regime would appreciate this order.

7. We therefore would like to urge cease-fire ethnic nationalities' organizations to encourage their ethnic nationalities and peoples who live in their respective areas to reject the military constitution through casting a "No" vote in the upcoming May 10 national referendum.

*1. National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB), *

*2. National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma( NCGUB),*

*3. Ethnic Nationalities Council (Union of Burma)( ENC),*

*4. Women's League of Burma( WLB),*

*5. Forum for Democracy in Burma( FDB), *

*6. Students & Youth Congress of Burma( SYCB) *

*7. Nationalities Youth Forum( NY Forum)*



Contact Persons- U Myint Thein - (66) 087 808 3552

Dr. Salai Lian H. Sakhong - (66) 081 029 6100

U Aung Moe Zaw - (66) 0844 908 237

Mi Su Pwint - (66) 081 884 5562