(from THE WORKING PEOPLE'S DAILY)
Vol. VI, No. 6, June 1992
+-+-+-+-+
NATIONAL
CONVENTION
Co-ordination Meeting Opens
Maj-Gen. Kyin Nyunt's Speech
NATIONAL CONVENTION
Co-ordination
Meeting Opens
June 23: The Co-ordination Meeting for the
Convening of the National Convention opened athe
Meeting Hall on the premises of the President's Residence,
National League for Democracy [NLD]: Leader U
Aung Shwe (Mayangonn-1); Deputy Leader U Lwin
(Thongwa-1); members U Nyunt Wai (Toungoo-2), U Than Tun (Taungha-2), U Lun Tin
(Mawlamyine-1), U Hla Pe
(Mawlamyinegyunn-1), U Saw Oo Reh (Phruhso), U Kyaw Tun (Paletwa-1),
U Saw Aung (Monywa-2), U Hla Min (Kawthoung),
Dr. U Nyunt Sein (Chauk-2), U Tun
Yi (Thandwe), Duwa U Zaw Aung (Waingmaw), Daw Nan Kyin Htwe Myint
(Hpa-an-3), and U Sai Ri
Tip (Kengtung-2).
Shan Nationalities League for Democracy
[SNLD]: Leader U Hkun Tun
Oo (Hsipaw-1); Deputy Leader U Sai Hpa (Kyaukme-1); members U Sai Tha Aye (Namkham), U Sai Moe Kyi (Mongpan), U Sai Hsaung Hsi
(Kyaukme-2), and U Sai Tun
Aung (Langkho).
National Unity Party [NUP]: Leader U M Sin Sar (Nogmun); Deputy Leader U
Maung Ohn (Pyay-1); member U Thet
Wai (Wakema-2).
Union Paoh National
Organization [UPNO]: U San Hla (Hopong).
Mro or Khami National
Solidarity Organization [MKNSO]: U San Tha Aung
(Kyauktaw-2).
Shan State Kokang
Democratic Party [SSKDP]: U Yan Kyin
Maw (Kunglong).
Lahu National Development Party [LNDP]: U Daniel Aung (Mongping).
Independent [
Following a speech by Chairman Maj-Gen. Myo Nyunt, he and Master of Ceremonies Col. Aung Thein replied to "points" raised by U Hkun Tun Oo (SNLD), U Aung Shwe
(NLD), and U Yan Kyin Maw
(SSKDP).
The Co-ordination Meeting will resume on June
30. [extensive photos] (WPD 6/24)
June 26: A Documentary Film, Co-ordination
Meeting for Convening of the National Convention, will be shown at the Nawadei, Thamada, Shesaung, Tabinshwehti, and Bayintnaung cinemas [in Yangon] beginning June 26. (WPD
6/27)
Maj-Gen. Kyin Nyunt's Speech
June 23: At the opening of the Co-ordination
Meeting for the Convening of the National Convention, Steering Committee
Chairman Maj-Gen. Myo Nyunt said [text]:
First of all, I wish to greet all of you
participating in this Co-ordination Meeting for the Convening of the National
Convention wishing you both physical well-being and happiness.
As you are all aware, the State Law and Order
Restoration Council assumed the duties of State on
In assuming these duties, the State Law and
Order Restoration Council took up the Four Main Tasks of ensuring law and order
and peace and tranquillity, smooth and safe
transportation, adequacy of public livelihood and holding of multiparty
democracy general election in the interest of the State and the people.
In keeping with such resolution the State Law
and Order Restoration Council had dismantled the single-party system and had endeavoured for smooth transition to multiparty democracy
system through endeavours for restoration of law and order and peace and tranquillity.
Moreover, the State Law and Order Restoration
Council went into necessary legislation for the successful holding of the
multi-party democracy general election. The Multiparty Democracy General
Election Commission Law was passed on
The Political Parties Registration Law was
passed on
Then, on
Based on the prevailing situation in the
country, and with a view to ensuring non-disintegration of the Union,
non-disintegration of national solidarity and perpetuation of sovereignty, the
organization assigned by the State Law and Order Restoration Council on 11 July
1990 informed elected leaders of parties which had won the Multiparty Democracy
General Election and independent elected Representatives of plans to hold a
meeting, prior to which they would have to go through formalities required
under the Multiparty Democracy Election Law.
Thereafter, the State Law and Order
Restoration Council published Declaration 1/90 on
It was stated in Declaration 1/90 that it is
understood through perusal of their declarations that the majority of the
political parties which contested the elections desire writing a new
Constitution, that in writing the 1947 Constitution co-ordination was made with
the national races through the discussion at the Panglong
Conference, and that it is necessary to write and pass a firm Constitution
after ascertaining the wishes of the national races residing throughout Myanmar
Naing-Ngan, and that under prevailing conditions, Representatives elected by
the people are persons responsible for writing the Constitution of the future
democratic State.
Moreover, it is stated in brief in
Declaration 1/90 that the writing of a provisional Constitution and formation
of a government would not under any circumstances be accepted, that in the
period before a government is formed in keeping with provisions of a firm, new
Constitution written in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of the
people, the State Law and Order Restoration Council would specifically
safeguard--
(1) The Three Main National Causes, which are
non-disintegration of the
(2) The Three Tasks of maintaining peace and tranquillity, assuring safe and smooth transportation and
improving the livelihood of the people, and
(3) the task of
development of the national races of Myanmar Naing-Ngan.
The State Law and Order Restoration Council has been undertaking to date, with unhindered tempo, the
plans laid down in keeping with the views expressed in Declaration 1/90.
The State Law and Order Restoration Council,
in connection with Declaration 1/90, published on
The State Law and Order Restoration Council,
in keeping with the requirements of Declaration 11/92 published Notification No
35/92 on
The same day, State Law and Order Restoration
Council Order No 9/92 was published saying the Co-ordination Meeting would be
held today,
In other words, the Co-ordination Meeting
which commences today is meant to open the door towards measures to be taken
for convening a National Convention to lay down basic principles for the
purpose of framing a firm Constitution essential for the emergence of a
multiparty democracy system within the nation.
The national significance of Declaration No
1/90 is the procurement of the aspirations and desires of the national peoples
so that a firm and strong Constitution may be brought into being. The main
method of ascertaining the desires and aspirations of the national peoples is
through the mechanism of a National Convention. The peasantry, the workers, the
political parties and organizations, the intelligentsia and technocrats and
public servants are also included in the expression "national
peoples" from whom the desires and aspirations are to be procured at a
National Convention so that the fundamental principles required for the framing
of a strong and firm Constitution may be laid down.
The Chairman of the State Law and Order
Restoration Council, the Vice-Chairman, the Secretaries and members of the
Cabinet in their frequent journeys to inspect progress of work being carried
out in all parts of the country have had occasion to talk to Tatmadawmen, Government servants and regional peoples. In
such talks the essentiality of the emergence of a strong and firm Constitution
as one of the future tasks confronting the Myanmar Naing-Ngan had been
emphasized; furthermore, what has also been frequently stressed is the
importance of holding a National Convention so that such a Constitution may be
drawn up.
Chairman of the State Law and Order
Restoration Council General Than Shwe went on an
inspection tour of Tanintharyi Division from 5 to
This being so, leaders of elected
Representatives representing the political parties as well as elected independent
Representatives are invited to discuss and forward suggestions conducive to the
holding a National Convention at this present co-ordination meeting. To put it
more clearly, suggestions are to be submitted at this co-ordination meeting as
to who should attend the National Convention and also the number of those who
should attend. In other words, such points as the number of those who ought to
be invited to participate in the National Convention from among the political
parties; elected Representatives, members of the National peoples, members of
the peasantry, workers, intelligentsia, technocrats, public servants should be
submitted and discussed at this meeting. That is why this Co-ordination Meeting
should be devoted solely within the ambit of Paragraph 3 of the State Law and
Order Restoration Council Order No 9/92 dated
Destructive and disruptive elements inside
and outside the country have been choosing to ignore the genuine goodwill of
the State Law and Order Restoration Council in having issued Declaration No
11/92 and in proceeding to carry out the present arrangements and they have
been surreptitiously twisting the truth of the matter and they have been
spreading it around that all this is being done due to pressures from inside
and outside the country and because it could not be avoided under the
circumstances.
It is very important for all those now
attending the co-ordination meeting to understand and appreciate the genuine
goodwill of the State Law and Order Restoration Council. The State Law and
Order Restoration Council on its part will not be awed by any kind of threat
from inside the country or from abroad. In truth; we declare that there is no
cause whatsoever for any domestic or foreign organization to be able to exert
any kind of authority or pressure upon the State Law and Order Restoration
Council. This is because the State Law and Order Restoration Council is the
Tatmadaw and as such, it possesses the inate nature
of being totally dedicated body and soul to the well-being of the nation and
its people. Its historic heritage in defending the welfare of the nation and
its people is indeed great. As a totally dedicated patriotic organization, it
is constantly devoting itself to promoting welfare and well-being of the nation
and the people. In such endeavours too, the Tatmadaw strives to do so in accord
with needs and conditions of the times. This being so, it would be improper for
any organization, either domestic or foreign to attempt to exert any kind of
authority or pressure upon it.
In addition, I wish to reiterate that Declaration No 11/92 was not prompted by any kind of pressure,
political or military, exerted upon the State Law and Order Restoration Council.
Some time ago. Tatmadaw offensives within
What the country urgently needs today is a
strong and firm Constitution. The emergence of such a strong and firm
Constitution is a national task. A National Convention is to be held so that
the basic principles for framing such a Constitution may be established.
Today's co-ordination meeting mauy be regarded as a
first step towards the convening of a National Convention. After this
Co-ordination Meeting has been concluded, a National Convention is to be held
within six months. This has been openly declared to the entire country by the
State Law and Order Restoration Council. Thus, I would like to remind you at
this juncture to temper your discussions at this co-ordination meeting with the
sole objective of being able to hold the National Convention within the
stipulated period.
What is before us today is to build national
solidarity and for the political parties and organizations to work hand in hand
and with confidence with the State Law and Order Restoration Council for the
emergence of firm and strong Constitution. I believe that all elected
Representatives representing the political parties at this meeting would
appreciate the need to place priority on national welfare over and above that
of their respective political parties.
Hence, I urge all participants at this
Co-ordination Meeting to place in the fore Our Three Main National Causes--
Non-disintegration of the
Non-disintegration of
National Solidarity.
Perpetuation of National
sovereignty.
In conclusion, I wish to impress upon all
those present the importance of today upon the future of the nation and for
national consolidation. It is upon the basis of national consolidation that the
National Convention is to be held. It is at the National Convention that the
fundamental principles for the framing of the Constitution are to be prescribed.
Therefore, the writing of a Constitution which is essential for the State is
the national duty of all citizens. The National Convention is to bring forth
the wishes and aspirations of the people for the future Constitution of Myanmar
Naing-Ngan. I would like you who are attending this Co-ordination Meeting
today, to discuss and present views with due cognizance to the holding of a
National Convention in the time stipulated by the State Law and Order
Restoration Council Declaration No 11/92. As you would give due priority to
party interest over personal interest I would like you to give priority to the
national interest over party interest in your suggestions and discussions. With
this I conclude. (WPD 6/24)