A Sagaing Division Union Solidarity and Development Association organized the mass meeting in support of the National Convention at Sagaing Division Sports Grounds in Monywa on 11 January morning.

Present at the meeting were Secretary of Sagaing Division USDA Dr Win Myint Aung and executives, secretaries and executives of Sagaing, Monywa and Shwebo District USDAs, members of Women’s Affairs Organization, Maternal and Child Welfare Association, War Veterans Organization, Writers and Journalists Association, Red Cross and Auxiliary Fire Brigades, faculty members and students of Monywa Universities, Monywa Institute of Economics, Institute of Education (Sagaing), University for Development of National Races, Monywa Government Computer College, Monywa Government Technological College, Sagaing Education College, Monywa Education College and Sagaing Cooperative College, members of Myanmar Thabin Asia yon and Myanmar Music Asia yon, departmental officials, social organizations, students, teachers and local people from 24 wards in Monywa, totaling over 25,000.

Townselder U Win Myint of Monywa Township presided over the mass meeting together with members of the panel of chairmen Dr Kyaw Win Naung, Captain Myo Chit (Retd) of WVO, industrialist U Nyein Aung, U Tin Win, townselder U Shwe Win of Monywa Township and entrepreneur U Tin Aung of Monywa Township.

Monywa Township USDA member Daw May Thu Hein and Monywa Township USDA executive Daw Kyu Moe Than acted as MCs.

In his speech, meeting chairman U Win Myint said that the Government carried out tasks for convening the National Convention to draw an enduring Constitution that is essential in shaping the future nation. Representatives-elect from political parties and independent representative-elect attended the first coordination meeting to hold the National Convention. The coordination meetings were held on 30 June and 10 July in 1992. And, the meeting discussed inviting delegates and the number. On 2 October 1992, the

National Convention Convening Commission, the NCC Work Committee and the NCC Management Committee were set up.

The National Convention commenced at the meeting hall in the compound of President’s House on Ahlon Road on 9 January 1993. All the participants of the National Convention held discussions from 7 June to 16 September 1993. With the agreement of all, 15 chapter headings and 104 basic principles were adopted. On 30 August 2003, the seven-point Road Map was declared. In line with the first step of the Road Map, the National Convention resumed on 17 May 2004.

The drafting of a new constitution is in progress to shape a new state in accordance with the objective conditions. Due to that weak points, the Union faced the danger of collapse. Hence, it is necessary to formulate an enduring Constitution for long-term existence.

Despite facing many hindrances for the emergence of the Constitution, the Government reconvened the National Convention on 5 December 2005. Progress of the National Convention, in which 1,088 delegates from eight delegate groups are taking part in discussions, can be witnessed through newspapers, TV and radio.

Head of State Senior General Than Shwe gave guidance that the nation must have a enduring Constitution that can serve the interest of the entire national people, practicing any system.

In accord with wishes of the national people, it is necessary to frame the Constitution that is lifeblood of the nation. Only when the NC delegates have Union Spirit, farsightedness, patience and unity for the nation, will the National Convention achieve success to lay down basic principles and detailed basic principles for drafting the enduring State Constitution. Therefore, all the national people are to play a role for the success of the National Convention that is the most important task for the nation.

In conclusion, the meeting chairman urged all the participants to harmoniously participate in the respective sectors for drafting the Constitution with Union Spirit.

U Aung Zaw Oo, Secretary of Salingyi Township USDA in Monywa District, Sagaing Division tabled a motion in support of the National Convention.

He said the State has made progress in building its political, economic and social infrastructures. With these infrastructures, the government is striving to build a discipline-flourishing democratic nation in accord with the wishes of the people after unveiling the seven-point political Road Map.

It cannot be denied that the State is on its way to development as the government, the Tatmadaw and the people are working side by side to develop the country in all aspects in order to catch up with other nations.

Measures are also being taken for realization of the 12 political, economic and social objectives without assistance. The ongoing National Convention in laying down detailed basic principles has attached importance to ensuring Our Three Main National Causes, avoiding bitter experiences of the past and keeping sight of prevailing conditions of the State.

Today’s National Convention is patiently discussing matters to reach the goal of the State. According to the saying which goes by as the strength of the nation lies within, it is necessary for the people to continue their efforts no matter what disturbances internal and external destructive elements cause. He said the National Convention has been in session for the third time since 5 December 2005 to draw an enduring constitution. All the national people are in full support of the National Convention that is shaping a constitution, the lifeblood of the State and a national task. So, the people are urged to play their part in building a modern and developed democratic nation.

In seconding the motion in support of the NC, Daw Nu Nu Win of Sagaing Division Women’s Affairs Organization said now is the time the State is trying to shape a peaceful, modern and developed democratic nation with discipline flourishing after the seven-point Road Map has been adopted. Some big western nations and their lackeys are resorting to various ways to persuade the UN Security Council to take action against Myanmar.

Myanmar may get assistance and accusations would disappear if she directly copies western democracy and acts as is out of the question to do this as Myanmar way of life is totally different from theirs’.

Despite hindrances and disturbances caused by internal and external elements, the entire mass of the people will continue their efforts for the emergence of modern and discipline flourishing democratic nation and support the National Convention.

Next, Sagaing Division WVO Maj Thaung Aye (Retd) seconded the motion.

Major Thaung Aye (Retd) of Sagaing Division WVO seconded the motion in support of the National Convention saying that Tatmadaw had come forward in time of emergency and joined hands with the people in striving for regaining independence. It is known to all that Tatmadaw, which is always loyal to the State had always been in the forefront in the incidents of 1962 and 1988.

Our country is home to various national races who have lived in the same land and partaken water from the same source since time immemorial. Being a Union country, we would not accept any scheme to cause disintegration to cause the Union.

Upholding Our Three Main National Causes, the Government is heading for a democratic State. In doing so, the State’s seven-point Road Map was set and its first phase, the National Convention is being convened. In all the world nations, no country is without a Tatmadaw. An armed force plays an important role in defending a nation. As the motto goes ‘ Only when the Tatmadaw is strong will the nation be strong’, we should strive for making the Tatmadaw to be a strong one.

Now, the State, the people and the Tatmadaw are trying to realize the seven-point Road Map to enable the nation to become a democratic one. Over 1,000 delegates are holding discussions at the National Convention to lay down basic principles for the emergence of the new constitution while holding the interests of the State and the people in esteem.

Daw Pauk Pauk of Ayadaw Township MCWA discussed that the Government is implementing national education promotion programmes to develop human recourses, building a peaceful modern developed democratic nation. To keep pace with changing technologies, a constant learning education system is being realized. In addition, the infrastructures on education are being built.

Nowadays, science and technology plays a key role in all aspects of developments. Some big nations are trying to interfere in the affairs of developing nations. So, our people should be full of vision and knowledge.

Educational network can contribute a lot towards formal and non-formal education. In health sector of the nation, the common diseases are being prevented.

The better foundations in education, health and economic sectors have been established. We need to maintain the progress. The NC is well under way.

So, he wholeheartedly seconded the motion in support of the NC. Tutor of Myanmar Department U Kyaw Moe Win of Monywa University also seconded the motion.

The three fundamental facts: peace, stability and prevalence of law and order, strong economy of citizens and maturity of people with wisdom after human resource development, are needed for building the modern and developed nation. Similarly, The strong basic foundations in political, economic, social and defence powers are essential for emergence of peaceful, modern, developed and discipline-flourishing democratic nation.

The government has laid down and is implementing Road Map to build the democratic nation while striving for economic development. The first phase of the Seven-Point Road Map, the National Convention is in progress.

After 1988, the 2,595 bridges under 180 feet and 14 bridges over 180 feet could be constructed in Sagaing Division. Ayeyawady Bridge (Yadanabon) which will bring the honour to the nation is being built in the division and the 60 per cent has completed now. In conclusion, he opposed the destructive elements hinder people to participate in the drive for the success of the National Convention with might and main and seconded the motion in support of the National Convention.

Afterwards, District Law Officer U Maung Maung Lin of Monywa seconded the motion.

All the citizens are to uphold Our Three Main Natioanl Causes for the no disintegration of the Union and reaching the national goal to build peaceful, modern, displine-flourishing democratic country. It is absolutely true and appropriate that the citizens are themselves drafting the Constitution for their nation in accord with their own customs, culture and history.

In accordance with the Seven-Point Road Map, the government has reconvened the Constitution that was adjourned temporarily. The National Convention can gurantee the Constitution which is also the lifeblood of all citizens and can serve the interests of the entire people. Upholding Our Three Main National Causes, all need to cooperate for the emergence of the democratic nation in the future, and he supported the National Convention.

Sagaing Division has extended from 2.7 million acres of farmland in 1988 to 4.1 million acres. Monsoon paddy cultivation acreage is now over 1.6 million, up from 1.2 million. Rice sufficiency of division has jumped to 199 per cent. With the spending of huge amount of funds by the State dams and river water pumping projects help the division to enjoy surplus of 15 million baskets of paddy. The division is regarded as a granary of the upper Myanmar. In addition, 0.5 million acres of beans and pulses and 0.1 million acres of cotton could be extended.

Now, there are 1416 river-water pumping projects benefiting over 1.1 million acres of land compared with only 124 in 1988. In Sagaing Division, per capita income had increased from K 4,000 in 1988 to 200,000 in 2005. Nowadays, the age of petrol chemicals is over and oil reserve will last next 40 years. So, world’s nations are trying to reduce the oil consumption. In Myanmar, farm machinery and vehicles have been put into test-run with the use of bio-diesel obtained from physic nut. Use of physic nut (Jatropha curcas) is cost-effective with a little carbon emission. It is found growing in many parts of the nation.

With the economic development in the State, all the people have enjoyed food sufficiency and surpluses are being exported. In the past, the country lagged behind in development in political, economic and social condition as it was under divide-and-rule policy. So taking lessons from the past, the people are working hard by upholding Our Three Main National Causes. The ongoing National Convention has put emphasis on safeguarding Our Three Main National Causes and the country’s independence and sovereignty.

That is why all the people are in full support of it. Sovereignty is the lifeblood of the people. To safeguard sovereignty, the emergence of a State constitution is of vital importance. Therefore, the people will have to support the National Convention which is laying down detailed basic principles to draw the constitution.

Next, the meeting chairman sought the approval of those present and they unanimously supported the National Convention. Then the mass meeting ended with the chanting of slogans.