United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is urging the Burmese government to postpone Saturday's constitutional referendum to focus more on cyclone recovery efforts.

A spokesperson for the U.N. chief said Thursday that Mr. Ban feels Burma's military leaders should mobilize all available resources to respond to the emergency created by Cyclone Nargis.

The powerful storm devastated major parts of the already impoverished country on May 3.  Tens of thousands of people were killed or are missing, and United Nations officials say a million-and-a-half survivors have been severely affected.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, 08 May 2008

Despite the catastrophe, Burma's government has indicated it will go ahead with Saturday's national referendum on a new draft constitution. However, the government has postponed the vote until May 24 in areas worst-affected by the cyclone.

Burma's military leaders say the constitution is part of a so-called "roadmap to democracy" that will lead to general elections in 2010.

But the opposition National League for Democracy says the charter will only strengthen the military's control over the country. The party has urged voters to cast a "no" ballot in the referendum.

A military government has ruled Burma since 1962. The opposition party won the last general elections in 1990. But military leaders never recognized the results of that race and instead put opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest.