Multi-Party Government for Burma Rejected

A special ruling party congress today accepted the resignation of strongman Ne Win but rejected his call for a referendum that could have ended 26 years of one-party rule.

Ne Win, 77, who seized power in a bloodless military coup in 1962, said last week he was stepping down after 26 years of near absolute power because of age and because he had been “indirectly responsible” for months of rioting that diplomats said left more than 100 people dead.

The Burma Socialist Program Party today accepted the resignations of Ne Win, his deputy, party Vice Chairman San Yu, and three other top party leaders.

But “Ne Win’s proposal for a referendum to ascertain whether the people wish to return to a multi-party system of government or to retain the present system of one-party government was turned down by the congress,” a statement issued at the end of the three-day extraordinary session of the ruling party said.

Only Legal Party

The party, with 1.5 million members, is the only legal party in Burma, where numerous ethnic minorities battling for regional autonomy control extensive areas along the northeastern and eastern borders.

No successor to Ne Win was immediately named.

Rangoon radio said the congress approved a package of economic reforms aimed at reviving the moribund state-run economy by allowing more private enterprise.

An emergency meeting of the 480-member People’s Assembly, the nation’s unicameral legislature, has been called for Wednesday to provide the legal basis for the economic reforms.

The emergency session could also deal with the appointment of new government leaders to replace the five who are resigning. The five, including President U San Yu, held government posts in addition to their party positions.

Prime Minister U Maung Maung Kha, one of the few top leaders not on the resignation roll, was expected to be named today to replace Ne Win as chairman of the ruling party.