THE government has dismissed criticism by the American Secretary of State, Mr Colin Powell, that Myanmar has made no progress in its democratic transition.

Mr Powell made the comment in an interview with Japanese journalists in Washington on August 12.

He also said the United States would maintain pressure on Myanmar to encourage democratic change, said a transcript of the interview released by the State Department on August 13.

Responding to Mr Powell’s criticism, a government spokesperson said Myanmar had embarked on a systematic, step-by-step approach in its democratic transition process to avoid “bloodshed, hardship and chaos”.

“It is a complex and difficult task which needs to be carefully and systematically handled,” the spokesperson said in a statement issued on August 15.

“What is happening today in the Middle East is no doubt a good example of wrong decision, bad analysis and a not so wise approach causing a lot of bloodshed, hardship and chaos,” the statement said, in an apparent reference to the situation in Iraq since the invasion by US-led forces early last year.

“Myanmar today is in the process of avoiding similar mistakes by following a systematic, step by step clear cut roadmap to its declared goal of becoming a functioning and sustainable democracy,” the statement said.

As a first stage of a seven step road map unveiled by the Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt August 2003, the National Convention was reconvened in May to draft a new constitution.

The road map also provides for a referendum on the constitution and the holding of elections.