UN secretary-general calls on Myanmar to delay referendum

UNITED NATIONS (AP) - The U.N. secretary-general is calling on Myanmar to postpone its constitutional referendum and focus on cyclone relief.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Thursday that he is "deeply concerned about the welfare of the people of Myanmar at this time of national tragedy."

He is asking Myanmar's government to postpone its planned referendum on a new constitution two days from now and "focus instead on mobilizing all available resources and capacity for the emergency response efforts."

Myanmar's military junta has postponed voting in some parts of the country, including Yangon, some outlying areas and parts of the delta heavily damaged by the storm.