A ceremony to support the National Convention and constitution, organized by townselders of the Shan State (East) in accord with the law, was held at the sports ground in Kengtung this morning.

Over 72,000 people including the national race leaders from four districts of Kengtung, Monghsat, Mongphyat and Tachilek in Shan State (East), townselders, members of social organizations, traditional cultural troupes, economic and industrial organizations, peasants and workers, representatives of peace groups, service personnel, students and people from various mass and class organizations attended the ceremony.

Before the ceremony, starting at 6 am Kengtung column led by U Nyi Nyi, Monghsat column led by U Kyi Thein, Mongphyat column led by U Tin Maung Aye and Tachilek column led by U Aye Min marched to the sport ground chanting the People’s Desire and Our Three Main National Causes and took positions at the respective places.

Shan State (East) Union Solidarity and Development Association executive Dr Sai Hse Kaw presided over the ceremony. Members of the panel of Chairmen were member of Shan State Women’s Affairs Organization Daw Nan Ni Lai Saing, member of Shan State Maternal and Child Welfare Supervisory Committee Daw Nan San Tit, Major Lu Ka (Retd) of Shan State (East) War Veterans Organization, Rector Dr Ko Ko Myint of Kengtung University, Chairman U Kya Dae of Lahu Cultural Committee and member U Ar Jo of Akhar Cultural Committee.

Executive of the Kengtung District USDA Daw Nan Huam Kham and reserve executive of the Kengtung District USDA Daw Nan Huam Tit acted as master of ceremonies and co-MC respectively. Executive of the Kengtung Township USDA U Aung Htan and those present saluted the State Flag.

Chairman Dr Sai Hse Kaw gave an opening speech. He said that of the two previous constitutions, the 1947 Constitution was hastily drawn to set up an independent state when the nation was free from colonial rule. Due to the weakness which was a stipulation permitting the secession of the certain state from the Union there arose the problem of federal policy that might lead to breaking up the Union. It was one of the bitter experiences of history. At a time the nation was burning with internal strife, political parties were in total disunity due to personality cult and factional and ideological prejudices and there was alien intrusion. Political situation could not be solved within the framework of constitution. The Tatmadaw had to assume the State duties due to unavoidable circumstances. So, the 1947 Constitution expired.

The 1974 Constitution was drawn with the aim of adopting a socialist system, perpetuating national independence, freeing the nation from political and factional prejudices and cementing national unity. It was ratified at the referendum with almost cent per cent public votes. Constitution is the nation’s basic law covering the task of sharing and entrusting the sovereign power, the relations between the State and the people, the duties, the powers, the rights of the people. All nations have their own constitutions which are as important as their life and blood.

Due to the weaknesses including the single party system and restriction of economic opportunities, the 1974 Constitution was not in accord with the public wish. The then government faced a growing problem it could not solve within the bounds of constitution. It was no other than the 1988 unrest.

In accord with the wish and vision of the people, the present government has been substituting multiparty democracy for single party system and market economy for socialist economy through transitional means in entering a new era. Hence, today’s Tatmadaw government is not an ordinary government. It is a government that is in the process of changing from one era to another and one system to the other.

As it is a transitional government it has been rebuilding the nation in all sectors. The nation rebuilding tasks cover the setting up of a discipline-flourishing genuine democratic state in accord with the changing era. The government adopted the seven-step Road Map on 30 August 2003 and informed the world about it. The National Convention adjourned in 1996 resumed on 17 May 2004. The National Convention successfully concluded on 3 September 2007 with the participation of national races from all walks of life amidst the many hindrances. The National Convention was held with the participation of over 1,000 delegates. It did not represent any individual person or single group or party. The NC after overcoming plots of destructionists giving priority only to benefiting a certain party while ignoring the national politics laid down and adopted fundamental principles and detailed basic principles to formulate the new constitution.

As the NC is the first and most important step, its completion is the victory of democracy transition. All the National Convention delegates representing all the national races including those of the peace groups deserve honour for their efforts till the successful completion of the NC. Hence, the national races of Shan State (East) hail and support the National Convention at which national race delegates discussed the states future with diligence, zeal and intellectual and physical efforts.

They also welcome the Constitution that is like the lighthouse for serving the interest of the nation and the people. U Sai Than Tun Lay, executive of Shan State (East) USDA, said: our nation is a sovereign one. The nation we want to shape is not to be influenced by big powers. Our nation is home to various national races living in unity and amity. That is why emphasis has been placed on the emergence of a peaceful, modern and developed discipline-flourishing democratic nation. In addition, the emergence of a constitution is indispensable for the people. If a nation is to practise democracy, an enduring constitution is needed. To draft the constitution, the National Convention started on 1993 with the participation of over 1,000 delegates including 43 from Shan State (East) and it was successfully completed on 3 September 2007. The NC laid down fundamental principles and detailed basic principles to be included in the constitution. Peace and stability and prosperity of the State is dependent upon how enduring the constitution is.

The principles were laid down in view of perpetuity of the Union and investment of sovereign power into the citizens. The principles were also adopted in accord with the objectives of the NC. For shaping a discipline-flourishing democratic nation, political, economic, education, health and transport infrastructures have been and are being built. With those infrastructures plus an enduring constitution, the goal of building a democratic nation will be achieved very soon. As all the people of Shan State who are living on the same land together with other national people, they are urged to continue their way to implementing the seven-point Road Map.

There is always constructive attitude as well as destructive attitude. But the internal and external elements operating in the interest of a party and a handful of people are trying to disrupt the National Convention and harm peace and stability and rule of law by sowing discord among the people. So we are to guard against their instigation. These days the destructionists inside the nation in accord with the orders of their foreign masters are sowing discord among the people, students and workers. They are instigating in the form of campaigns. However, when they failed their first attempt, they incited disturbances among the mass of monks by using their hardcore UGs. Through the monks’ protests, they tried to instigate unrest even among the people from all backgrounds like in the period of communists in the post-independence. Therefore, the people wishing to see the development of the State are to prevent such destructive acts. The National Convention laid down the principles necessary for a new nation. At such a time, unity is indispensable and this is called Union Spirit. All in all, the people of Shan State (East) fully support the constitution that will come into force through the basic principles.

Wa national U Saw Pe of Tachilek District, Shan State (East) seconded the motion, saying that local people of Shan State (East) are looking forward to the emergence of a peaceful, modern and developed democratic nation with flourishing discipline. Wa nationals are taking part in the nation-building tasks and public welfare services in cooperation with social organizations. They have realized how considerable success will be achieved if the government, the people and the Tatmadaw make earnest efforts in concert.

Now, the implementation of the State’s seven-step Road Map is in the process. The National Convention that was over successfully on 3 September 2007 is, indeed, a watershed of all national races. The 1947 constitution had loopholes and defects. The 1974 constitution that represented Socialism diminished the role of market economy and the private sector. So, it was no longer effective in 1988.

Taking invaluable lessons from the past incidents, the government held the National Convention together with the representatives of the entire people. The future of the nation will reflect farsightedness and genuine goodwill of the government.

The National Convention was launched in January 1993. From January 1993 to March 1996, the NC designated 15 chapter headings suitable for the State constitution. When the NC was in full swing, the NLD walked out of it under the directives of its western masters. The NC was adjourned, in consequence. The NC resumed on 17 March 2004 and completed on 3 September 2007. The NC held from 1993 to 1966 was attended by 702 representatives. At the NC from 2004 to 2007, 1071 representatives held thorough discussions and adopted the principles necessary for building a genuine and discipline-flourishing democratic nation. They wholeheartedly supported the NC that was successfully convened due to Union Spirit and tenacious efforts of the delegates.

He presented some principles relevant to national races such as the future nation will be consisted with one self-administered region for Wa nationals and five self-administered zones for Naga, Danu, Pa-O, Palaung and Kokang national races in addition to seven Regions and States; Region / State Hluttaws will be formed for legislative and executive sectors, and Regions and States will have the rights to form high courts for jurisdiction Region / State-wise; and in Regions, Region Hluttaw representatives—one elected from each national race decided by the authorities concerned as having population which constitutes 0.1 percent of the population of the State, of the remaining national races other than those who have already got the respective Region or as self-administered area in that region; and choose one representative for each national race, if there is any, the population of which is upwards of at least 10,000, residing in the self- administered region or self-administered zone as leading committee member with the exception of national races who have already got regions or states of their own.

It is apparent that the basic principles are designed to bestow all possible rights to national races. So, they supported the NC and upcoming State constitution.

Li Shan damsel Daw Nan Nu Nu Yi representing Mongphyat District Women’s Affairs Organization seconded the motion. She said that our country stood as a sovereign State since time immemorial. However the country lost its independence and sovereignty once. It regained independence and sovereignty through the Union Spirit of national races. There were 1947 Constitution and 1974 Constitution in the country. One referred to parliamentary democracy and another to socialist economic system. These constitutions were not in conformity with changes of history and thus they came to a halt. The constitution is essential in the country indeed. After assuming responsibilities of the State, Tatmadaw Government is building the country through might and main in accord with the people’s desire. On the other hand, the National Convention to draw the State Constitution was held for six times from 1993 to 1996 and five times from 2004 to 2007.

The National Convention successfully concluded on 3 September 2007. The National Convention aid down basic principles and detailed basis principles regarding mother, child, and people old and infirm, peasants, workers, intellectuals and intelligentsia and economic affairs. There are two Hluttaws at the central level, and state and region Hluttaws at the state and region levels.

The Government will not nationalize private-owned businesses and demonetize the currency put on circulation. These principles are the rights and economic opportunities of the entire national people. The entire national people are to serve the interests of the State regardless of the threat posed by any person, any organization and any foreign country. The forthcoming constitution will bring about the desire and life of the people effectively and widely. Moreover, it will strive for the emergence of peaceful, modern developed discipline- flourishing democratic nation. We the entire national people will never fear internal and external destructive elements.

Therefore, I absolutely support and welcome the National Convention and State Constitution. Afterwards, Akha national U Ar Hpa seconded the motion of supporting the National Convention and the constitution. He said : If we analyse the detailed basic principles laid down at the National Convention, we can find that the Union System can be established based on these principles for the future nation. According to the detailed principles, any regions, states or autonomous regions are not allowed to secede from the Union. The principles shall guarantee all national races participation in affairs of the State and legislative and administrative affairs in respective border areas. Besides, we can see that the detailed basic principles have encouraged a policy on development of language, literature, arts and culture of national races, a policy on the freedom of worship and systematic formation of political parties to flourish a democratic system in the country.

The principles also highlight the need for community peace and stability and prevalence of law and order in the country. The National Convention was successfully completed and basic principles were laid down at the convention to bring benefits to the State and the people. The detailed basic principles have great sentimental value for writing the constitution. However, destructive elements have been trying to make the principles worthless. However, all national races can distinguish good and bad, and right and wrong and they are committed to guarding against the danger posed by destructive elements. All national races have witnessed that the government has made efforts for development of the economic, education, health and investment sectors of the country. Today’s development will benefit the future nation. Today’s developments are fruits of efforts that have been made since 1988.

Especially, Shan State (East) has enjoyed the community peace and stability. As all situations in Myanmar have returned to peace and stability, the momentum of development of the country will continue to accelerate. The community peace and prevalence of law and order play a vital role in making efforts for the development of a country and are very important for the people to do work and live in peace. Those who love the nation and the people are to take responsibility to guard against the danger to the community peace and stability in order that the people can live in peace. Therefore, we support the National Convention and hail the new constitution.

Afterwards, Daw Nar Ngwe, a representative of Monghsat District Maternal and Child Welfare Supervisory Committee, seconded the motion of supporting the National Convention and the constitution. She said after regaining independence the country passed through the parliamentary democracy period. From 1948 to 1962 there occurred coloured insurgency. The people suffered the split of political parties such as the ruling party and other parties. Community peace and tranquillity and prevalence of law and order is essential for establishment of any social system. All the people had experienced the worst conditions as there was no firm foundation in the parliamentary democracy. Finally, the country was on the verge of disintegration of the Union.

The country established the socialist democratic nation under the 1974 constitution. However, it had to face hardships due to lack of consolidated unity and peace, limitations on private economic opportunities and political and economic deterioration. The Tatmadaw government had to build community peace and tranquillity and prevalence of law and order. There is peace and tranquillity in Shan State (East) as it built national reconsolidation through patience, understanding and confidence. I warmly support the historic measures at the National Convention and the forthcoming constitution with the fundamental principles.

Next, U Soe Win of Shan State (East) Special Region-4 seconded the motion calling for support of the National Convention and the constitution. Our country is a sovereign nation. There were two constitutions and they have now become defunct. That was why the National Convention was held for drafting the constitution.

Shan State (East) Special Region-4 seconded the National Convention and seven-step Road Map. We expressed our attitudes with sincerity. Our suggestions were discussed at the National Convention in conformity with a new nation to emerge. The other principles laid down are in conformity with the practical life of the people. We will participate in the tasks for building of a peaceful modern developed discipline-flourishing democratic nation.

Next, the chairman sought the approval of the people and passed a resolution to support the National Convention and the State Constitution. The attendees chanted slogans and the ceremony to support the National Convention and the State Constitution came to an end later in the morning.