Delegates to make discussions within framework of procedures to lay down
basic principles to be included in drafting a durable Constitution

YANGON, 17 Feb—The following is a translation of the clarifications on the procedures of the National Convention by the National Convention Convening Commission Secretary.

Esteemed Chairman and delegates,

I wish peace and happiness and auspiciousness for the NCCC Chairman and members, the NCC Work Committee members, the NCC Management Committee members and delegates.

I would like to express my pleasure for meeting the delegates again at the National Convention.

At the National Convention which reconvened on 17 May last year, the delegates held discussions to lay down detailed basic principles for sharing the legislative power. At this meeting, the delegates will have to make discussions to approve the detailed basic principles in sharing the legislative power and to lay down detailed basic principles for sharing the executive and judicial powers. Delegates who attended the Convention held on 17 May 2004 were invited according to the list of last year. New faces are included in the present National Convention as they have been selected for vacancies occurred during the period due to certain reasons. The National Convention last year did not face any difficulties, but achieved success thanks to the delegates who took part in it with firm conviction adhering to the procedures of the National Convention. For the new delegates to know the procedures and other necessary things and as a reminder for the other delegates, I will now explain the procedures, and messing, health, welfare, Entertainment and security matters for the delegates.

The book on the procedures includes the preamble and seven chapters Included in Chapter I are six objectives of the National Convention:

— Non-disintegration of the Union

— Non-disintegration of national solidarity

— Perpetuation of sovereignty

— Flourishing of a genuine multi-party democracy system

— Further burgeoning of the noblest and worthiest of worldly values namely justice, liberty and equality in the State

— For the Tatmadaw to be able to participate in the national political leadership role of the State.

The delegates will have to make discussions within the framework of the procedures to lay down basic principles to be included in drafting a durable constitution.

Chapter II states that representatives from eight categories of delegate groups are permitted to take part in the National Convention. There are seven duties and responsibilities and three rights and privileges for the delegates. As they have rights and privileges, they should be dutiful. Moreover, there are codes of conduct and rules for the delegates. As these are prescribed for the success of the National Convention. I believe that the delegates will understand, accept and adhere to them.

The codes of conduct and rules are:

1. Delegates should not be loyal to any other state, except the Union of Myanmar,

2. They will have to obey and observe the directives of the panel of chairmen or the group meeting chairman.

3. They will have to live in compatible with the dignity of a National Convention delegate and so on.

The panel of chairmen is required to preside over a meeting. Thus, the panel of chairmen comprising five representatives from the Work Committee, 10 delegates from political parties and representatives-elect, and five from the remaining six groups since resumption of the National Convention on 17 May 2004 are to carry out the duty. Selections have been made to fill vacancies occurred due to certain reasons. The existing panel of chairmen will preside over the present National Convention.

Chapter III states the checking of the attendance register during the meeting and announcement of the validity of the meeting. Any meeting of the National Convention can be announced valid if the number of delegates attending it reaches 50 per cent.

Chapter IV states the procedures to be observed in presenting discussion or suggestions. First, I will deal with the procedures for group discussions. They are:

Group discussions of the delegates should be submitted to panel of chairmen of the group meeting. The panel of chairmen will collect the suggestions of similar types and will present them to the plenary session of the Convention.

A delegate can present his individual discussion or suggestion to the plenary session through the panel of chairmen after presenting it for discussion in his group.

If any disagreement is found in the suggestions of political parties, delegate groups and independent representatives, the Work Committee will coordinate the matter and will take necessary measures.

Now, I will explain the procedures of the National Convention.

The papers compiled by delegate group for the plenary session must be stated clearly and precisely the facts they wish to discuss.

The papers must be presented to the Work Committee together with the name or names of the presenters within the specific time through the panel of chairmen.

If there are any differences in the paper presented to the plenary session the Work Committee will take necessary measures to address the problem.

Now, I have explained the important part of the procedures. They are for the success of the National Convention and for the delegates to make discussions and suggestions in a cordial atmosphere within the framework. I believe that the delegates will understand this.

As in the past, each room is to accommodate four delegates at men and women’s hostels for their convenience. All rooms have electricity and adequate amount of clean water supply.

Food served for the delegates are being stored and cooked in accord with the health standard. All the persons who serve at the messing rooms have already undergone medical check ups. Food programme are being drawn with the approval of high level officials. Arrangements are being made to serve food for vegetarians and in accord with the religious practices of the delegates.

As now is the open season, delegates can take early-morning exercises on the streets of the Nyaunghnapin Camp. They can also play badminton, table tennis and weightlifting at the gymnasium or practice golf. The hospital at the camp is kept open round the clock. It has sufficient number of doctors and other health staff. Arrangements have been made for the specialists to visit paitents. If needed any patient warded at the hospital will be transferred to a military hospital for further treatment.

Television programme, karaoke entertainment and books and periodicals are avaliable for the delegates. Programmes are being made to entertain the delegates with stage shows, anyient shows, variety dances, films and video plays.

The Industry-1 Ministry and GEC have opened shops at the camp. There are also a hair dressing saloon, a beauty parlour, a laundry service, an optical service and restaurants. Transport and communication programmes are being made for the convenience of delegates, The Goverments is in the process of materializing the seven-point Road Map for emergence of a modern and developed discipline-flourishing democratic nation. The National Convention is the first and most important step of the Road Map. Delegates of all walks of life in the entire nation are taking part in the Convention as a national tesk, with patriotism and Union Spirit.

It is a commom knowledge that saboteurs from inside and outside the national, who are jealous of seeing the developing situation are making attempts to cause obstacles which will bar the nation from holding the Convention successfully.

The National Convention is of vital importance for the nation, and it will go down in the annals of history.

The delegates are the persons who are shaping the nation’s future. So, the Government will not let the Convention and anyone of the delegates be harmed by outside interferences. We will never tolerate any harm against the Convention and the delegates. As stated in the speech delivered by Chairman of NCCC the Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council that it is natural that there exist saboteurs in the world. Thus, the Government has tightened the security at the Convention.

We the officials concerned are ready to solve any problem, and attend to any requirement including personal matters of the delegates.

I wish you all to enjoy physical and mental health and to work with intellectual ability and utmost efforts to lay down basic principles to draft a durable constitution for the interest of the nation and the people. With this I conclude