"Myanmar Times"  February 7 - 13, 2005  	 Volume 13 , No.253	
 
Preparations for next week’s National Convention are complete: Govt

By Editorial

PREPARATIONS for reconvening the National Convention on February 17 to draft a new constitution have been completed, the government said last week.

The Minister for Information, Brigadier-General Kyaw Hsan, told a news conference on February 1 that invitations were sent to 1086 delegates beginning from January 15.

Brigadier-General Kyaw Hsan, who is also the secretary of the National Convention Convening Commission, said the number of invitees was the same as that who attended the previous session of the convention.

The invitees include 633 delegates from members of national groups and 105 representing armed national groups that have signed peace agreements with the government, as well as 109 civil servants and 93 farmer delegates, Brigadier General Kyaw Hsan said.

They also include 48 workers delegates and 56 academics as well as 29 members of political parties and 13 delegates who won seats in elections held in 1990.The delegates include those who are experienced in political, military, economic, administrative, legislative, judicial ... affairs,” Brigadier-General Kyaw Hsan said.

He said more than 85 per cent of the delegates to attend the convention were educated and included 15 who have doctorate degrees.Although the remaining delegates have not acquired formal education, they are wise, well-experienced and respected by local populace of the respective regions,” Brigadier-General Kyaw Hsan said.

He said arrangements made by the commission for the delegates included transportation and a reception in Yangon.

Arrangements had also been made to keep the venue for the convention, the Nyaunghapin resort at Hmawbi, green and pleasant.

The National Convention resumed last year for a session from May 17 to July 9 as a first step in the seven-stage road map for a transition for democracy unveiled by the government in August 2003.

The road map also provides for holding of a referendum to approve the draft constitution which emerges from the National Convention.

The approved constitution will be the basis for parliamentary elections.

Brigadier-General Kyaw Hsan said discussion at the forthcoming session of the National Convention would include approving provisions on legislative powers as well as adopting provisions on sharing administrative and judicial powers.

He said a total of 11 proposal papers, including suggestions on provisions to be included in the draft constitution, were submitted to the commission during the previous session following a free discussion among delegates.