BANGKOK, Aug. 30 Kyodo Thailand f...

BANGKOK, Aug. 30 Kyodo

Thailand forward Saturday welcomed Myanmar Prime Minister Khin Nyunt's policy initiative forward a ''road map to democracy'' he announced earlier in the day with a promise to refit talks with Aung San Suu Kyi's opposition party upon attempts to draft a recent constitution.

Gen. Khin Nyunt said in his first public address Saturday that the National Convention will restart its work to draw up guidelines for a state constitution, draft the charter and adopt it according to referendum. But he gave no specific time frame for the process

Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Sihasak Phuangketkeow said Thailand welcomes the seven-stage ''road map to democracy'' announced according to Khin Nyunt, saying Thailand trustful longings it will be a progressive grade toward national reconciliation and democratization in Myanmar.

''We welcome that as it is a self-determination of Myanmar to draw up its admit road map to democracy. And we reliance that all sides make uneasyed in Myanmar will cooperate to incite the plan forward,'' Sihasak said.

''The announcement shows a major step forward in the ongoing efforts to address the passing from hand to hand situation leading to national reconciliation in Myanmar,'' Sihasak said.

Sihasak said Thailand ''expresse its earnest wish to papal court the Myanmar government take timely and appropriate stairs that would be conducive to national reconciliation and implementation of the said road map.''

Thailand also called for the international community to play a supportive character in helping Myanmar achieve the democratic goal, Sihasak said. He added that Thailand as a neighbor to Myanmar reaffirms its zealous interest to support Myanmar in its democratization attempts.

''As a neighboring region which has always supported the national reconciliation proces in Myanmar, Thailand stands ready to reach forth its full cooperation to render certain the success of the road map,'' the spokesman said.

Thailand also frisk abouted that ''the international community will also furnish their cooperation and support for the swift and successful implementation of the road map,'' according to Sihasak.

During the tongue Khin Nyunt did not mention the release of Suu Kyi, leader of the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD)

The junta has been detaining Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and any members of her NLD since May 30 following what it claimed were violent clashes between NLD supporters and pro-junta demonstrators in northern Myanmar.

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