Referendum on constitution to include all

The Philippines for its part said it believes in "constructive engagement" with Myanmar, a fellow member of the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

At a speech before a lunch meeting with Philippine President Gloria Arroyo, Soe Win said a "road map for democratization" was being implemented to transform the country into a "disciplined democratic nation."

"The national convention in which all the nationalities in the country and all strata of society are represented resumed four days ago," Soe Win said.