People in all states, divisions witnessing progress in adopting detailed basic principles unanimously support National Convention NCCC Chairman gives concluding remarks at NC plenary session

YANGON, 31 Jan — The plenary session of the National Convention went on at Pyidaungsu Hall in Nyaunghnapin Camp, Hmawby Township , Yangon Division, this morning.
Present on the occasion were Chairman of the National Convention Convening Commission Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council
Lt-Gen Thein Sein and members, Chairman of National Convention Convening Work Committee Chief Justice U Aung Toe and members, Chairman of the NC Management Committee Auditor-General Maj-Gen Lun Maung and members, chairmen of subcommittees, officials, delegates of National Unity Party, Union Pa-O National Organization, Mro (or) Khami National Solidarity Organization, Lahu National Development Party, Union Kayin League, Kokang Democracy and Unity Party, and Wa National Development Party, representatives-elect of National Unity Party and Mro (or) Khami National Solidarity Organization, independent representatives-elect, delegates of national races from Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Mon and Rakhine States, Shan State (South), Shan State (North), Shan State (East), Sagaing, Taninthayi, Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Yangon and Ayeyawady Divisions, delegates of peasants form Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Mon and Rakhine States, Shan State (South), Shan State (North), Shan State (East), Sagaing, Taninthayi, Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Yangon and Ayeyawady Divisions, delegates of intellectuals and intelligentsia and delegates of workers from Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Mon and Rakhine States, Shan State (South), Shan State (North), Shan State (East), Sagaing, Taninthayi, Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Yangon and Ayeyawady Divisions, delegates of State service personnel from the SPDC Office, the President’s Office, the Pyithu Hluttaw Office, the Government Office, the Supreme Court, the Attorney-General Office, the Auditor-General’s Office, the Multi-party Democracy General Election Commission Office, the Office of Civil Service Selection and Training Board, the Yangon City Development Committee, the Mandalay City Development Committee, and respective ministries, other invited delegates, delegates of national race groups that have returned to the legal fold and exchanged arms for peace. Before the Plenary Session, the NCCC chairman and members, the NCC Work Committee chairman and members, the NCC Management Committee chairman and members, chairmen of subcommittees and officials, delegates of political parties, representatives-elect, delegates of national races, delegates of peasants, delegates of workers, delegates of intellectuals and intelligentsia, delegates of State service personnel, and other invited delegates signed the attendance books at the Pyidaungsu Hall and recreation hall for the delegates.

The NCCC chairman presided over the plenary session, while NCCC Secretary Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan acted as MC.

Of 1,079 delegates who were entitled to attend the NC, 1,069 or 99.07 per cent were present at the session.

Regarding the future plans of the National Convention, the Work Committee chairman said that the NC resumed on 5 December last year to continue to adopt detailed basic principles in drawing an enduring State Constitution of the Union of Myanmar.

Upholding Our Three Main National Causes, the NC delegates attended the convention with enthusiasm to complete National Convention proceedings of the seven-point Road Map laid down by the State. At the convention, the delegates set up brotherly relations in dealing with each other, and presented proposals in a frank way in the interests of the State and the people.

At the plenary sessions held from 21 to 30 March 2005, alternate panel of chairmen collected the proposals submitted by the delegates to adopt detailed basic principles for the sharing of executive and judicial powers. And the panel of chairmen forwarded the collected proposals on 6 and 7 December 2005.

At the plenary session that took place on 12 December, detailed basic principles for the distribution of executive and judicial powers could be adopted in accordance with the proposals of the delegates. That highlighted the wholehearted participation of the delegates.

Regarding the detailed basic principles that should be adopted for legislative functions of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, the Pyithu Hluttaw, the Amyotha Hluttaw and the Region or State Hluttaw to be included in the Legislative Chapter, the explanations of the Work Committee Chairman were read out at the plenary sessions held on 13, 14 and 15 December the same year.

Delegate groups held group-wise discussions about the clarifications of the Work Committee and compiled proposals. And the proposals were read out at the plenary sessions held from 2 to 9 January 2006. Proposals of the delegate group of political parties were read out at the plenary session on 2 January 2006; proposals of the delegate group of representatives-elect, on 3 and 5 January; proposals of the delegate group of national races and the delegate group of peasants, on 5 January; proposals of the delegate group of workers and the delegate group of intellectuals and intelligentsia, on 6 January; and proposals of the delegate group of State service personnel and the delegate group of other invited persons, on 9 January.

At the plenary session of the National Convention held on 10 January 2006, the Work Committee chairman’s explanations about detailed basic principles that should be adopted for the Chapter “Citizenship, Fundamental Rights and Duties of Citizens” and the Chapter “The Role of the Tatmadaw” were read out.

Respective delegate groups of NC delegates held discussions on the explanations of the Work Committee and compiled proposals, which were submitted to the plenary sessions of the NC held from 24 to 30 January this year. Proposals of the delegate group of political parties were submitted to the plenary sessions held on 24 and 25 January; proposals of the delegate group of representatives-elect, on 25 and 26 January; proposals of the delegate group of national races, on 26 January; proposals of the delegate group of peasants, the delegate group of workers, and the delegate group of intellectuals and intelligentsia, on 27 January; and proposals of the delegate group of State service personnel and the delegate group of other invited persons, on 30 January.

It is found that in the proposals, the groups expressed their support for the explanations of the Work Committee chairman. They submitted separate suggestions based on their experiences in the frame of the six objectives of the National Convention, and in the frame of the 104 basic principles laid down by the National Convention. Members of the alternate panels of chairmen will have to collect these proposals sector-wise and forward them to the plenary session of the National Convention.

NC delegates will be free while members of alternate panels of chairmen will be carrying out functions. The National Convention is adjourned today so that the delegates will be able to go on their economic and social affairs they have stopped, and members of alternate panels of chairmen will have to compile their findings.

When the National Convention resumes, regarding legislative functions of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, the Pyithu Hluttaw, the Amyotha Hluttaw and the Region or State Hluttaw, and the Chapter “Citizenship, Fundamental Rights and Duties of Citizens” and the Chapter “The Role of the Tatmadaw”, detailed basic principles that should be adopted will be adopted in line with the wishes of the majority of the delegates. With a view to enabling the delegates to present proposals conveniently, some headings, in accordance with the schedule of the headings, will be presented after weighing the work volume. In conclusion, I would like to urge the delegates to collect necessary facts in advance so that you can make good suggestions.

Secretary of the NCCC Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan delivered a speech on management. He said the National Convention resumed on 5 December 2005 will be adjourned soon and the delegates will go back home in their respective regions. The commission has made arrangements for transport and management matters for convenience of the delegates who will leave on 31 January, 1 and 2 February.

Arrangements have been made for supervision and safety of their going home by officials of the respective states and divisions. Invitations will be sent to the delegates in advance.

During the National Convention, the National Convention bulletin featuring group-wise discussions, matters relating to laying down detailed basic principles was published daily and it will serve as the invaluable record.

The delegates contributed articles, poems, novels and anecdotes with interest. They liked the bulletin and understood customs and culture of national races and it also contributes toward the national solidarity. The articles, poems, novels and anecdotes in the bulletin are published in a book form.

The minister thanked officials, staff, service personnel of the Ministry of Information, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Defence, Anyein troupe of Yangon Command, artistes of Myanmar Motion Picture, Music and Thabin Asiayons and wellwishers for their understanding, cooperation and donations.

He wished them a safe journey.

Next, Chairman of NCCC Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Thein Sein delivered a concluding speech.

Thanks to the active, harmonious and cooperative efforts of the delegates, the National Convention has successfully adopted a number of detailed basic principles for writing a new constitution during the period of nearly two months beginning 5 December 2005.

The detailed basic principles the National Convention has successfully adopted concern the chapters included in the sharing of the executive and judicial power the delegates had discussed at the previous sessions for drafting the constitution. The chapters are: Powers and Duties of the President, the Executive Power of the Union Government, the Executive Power of the Region or State Government, the Executive Power of the Leading Bodies of the Self-Administered Division and Self-Administered Zones, the State Service Personnel, and the sharing of the Judicial Power.

At the plenary sessions held on 13, 14 and 15 December 2005 were the clarifications made by the Work Committee Chairman concerning his study on the legislation of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, the Pyithu Hluttaw, the Amyotha Hluttaw and Region and State Hluttaws, the delegates would have to consider whether the detailed basic principles presented by him should be adopted.

After free and frank discussions the delegates made group-wise on the Work Committee Chairman’s clarifications, they submitted and read their papers at the plenary sessions held on 2, 3, 5, 6 and 9 January 2006 in the presence of all the representatives of the delegate groups.

The plenary session held on 10 January 2006 witnessed the Work Committee Chairman explaining the chapters “Citizenship, Fundamental Rights and Duties of Citizens” and “the Role of the Tatmadaw” of the chapters remaining to be clarified, and inviting suggestions from the delegates whether to adopt the detailed basic principles. The delegates on their part made group-wise discussions and presented papers in the follow-up plenary sessions held on 24, 25, 26, 27 and 30 January.

The alternative panel of chairmen after thoroughly studying the group-wise papers that gave suggestions on or supported the clarifications, will compile a paper of their own in which suggestions and opinions of same essence were put together, for submission to the Work Committee.

The National Convention is adjourned today, for the Work Committee to take time to study the group-wise papers and the 1947 Constitution, the 1974 Constitution and constitutions of world nations to lay down detailed basic principles for other chapters.

Because of the harmonious participation of the delegates, chapter-wise detailed basic principles can be adopted successfully at the National Convention up to now for writing a durable constitution. The delegates have already known that the people in all states and divisions after witnessing the progress in adopting the detailed basic principles have unanimously supported the National Convention.

I reiterate that the government will continue to convene the National Convention till its successful completion, while overcoming the disturbances of external and internal saboteurs, with the support of the entire national people and the unity of the delegates. I would also like to urge the delegates to serve the public interest with goodwill and relentless zeal without deviating from the course due to slanders till the success has been fully achieved.

The coming sessions of the National Convention will be held at the time when the end of the present year is drawing nearer, during which farmers have less work as they have completed their cultivation season, to adopt the detailed basic principles for the chapters “the legislation of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, the Pyithu Hluttaw, the Amyotha Hluttaw, and the Region and State Hluttaws” and “Citizenship, Rights and Duties of Citizens” and “the Role of the Tatmadaw”, on which the delegates have presented suggestions.

I thank the delegates, who held discussion in harmony and unison for the success of the National Convention, and personnel of the Management Committee and support groups. The National Convention that resumed on 5 December 2005 was adjourned at 9.45 am today.

Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Thein Sein sees off NC delegates

YANGON, 31 Jan — Chairman of National Convention Convening Commission Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thein Sein this afternoon greeted the delegates to the National Convention who would go back home as the National Convention was adjourned.

Accompanied by Secretary of the National Convention Convening Commission Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan and members of the commission, members of the working committee for convening the National Convention, Chairman of the management committee for convening the National Convention, Vice Chairmen of the management committee Maj-Gen Than Htay of the Ministry of Defence, Deputy Minister for Hotels and Tourism Brig-Gen Aye Myint Kyu and officials, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Thein Sein met the delegates at Nyaunghnapin Camp in Hmawby Township and bade farewell.

Afterwards, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Thein Sein and party visited the shops in Nyaunghnapin Camp.