UPDATE 1-China must send "right signals" to Myanmar-UN envoy

(Adds details)

By Lindsay Beck

BEIJING, Feb 19 (Reuters) - The United Nations envoy to Myanmar called on China on Tuesday to send the "right signals" to its military government to ensure its plans for political reform and eventual multi-party elections are inclusive and credible.

Earlier this month, Myanmar's ruling generals announced a referendum on a new, as yet unfinished, constitution in May, to be followed by a general election in 2010 -- moves toward reform that follow huge anti-government demonstrations last year.

"This is a significant step as it marks the first time that we have an established timeframe for the implementation of a political roadmap with a clear objective," Ibrahim Gambari told reporters in Beijing, where he met Chinese officials.

But the moves would only be credible if they were accompanied by the release of political prisoners, lifting of restrictions on opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, and if the generals allowed opportunities for the expression of opinions on the constitution, he added.

"China -- and others -- should be sending that message," he said.

China is a neighbour and one of the few diplomatic allies of military-ruled Myanmar, whose government has been under pressure to reform since it cracked down on the pro-democracy protests that were led by the country's Buddhist clergy last September.

"We ask China and others to send the right message, the right signals to the authorities in Myanmar to continue to cooperate concretely" with his office, Gambari said.