In accord with law, townselders organized a ceremony to support the National Convention and the forthcoming constitution at Yamanya Sports Ground in Mawlamyine, Mon State, yesterday morning.

About 100,000 people including townselders, national race leaders, representatives of peace groups, members of social organizations and cultural troupes, entrepreneurs, peasants, workers, departmental personnel, students and local national races attended the ceremony.

Chairman and members of the Panel of Chairmen and the attendees chanting the slogans at the ceremony to support the National Convention and the constitution.

Before the ceremony, Sittoung column led by U Tin Oo, Thanlwin column led by Ye Thurein U Aung Win Sein, Attaran column led by U Hla Tun and Gyaing column led by U Naing Aung marched to Yamanya sports ground and took designated places.

Medical Superintendent Dr Nyan Zaw of Mon State General Hospital presided over the rally together with Member of the Union Solidarity and Development Association Specialist Surgeon Dr Myo Swe Kyi, Secretary of State Women’s Affairs Organization Principal of Education College (Retd) Daw Yin Yin Myat, Member of State Maternal Child Welfare Association gold entrepreneur Daw Khaing Khaing Win, Member of State War Veterans Supervisory Committee U Than Tun, Townselder Retired State Education Officer U Aung Myot and Chairman of Thaton Township Pa-O Literature and Culture Committee U Khun Aung Nyein as members of panel of chairmen. Executive Daw San San Win of Mawlamyine Township USDA acted as master of ceremonies and member of Mawlamyine Township USDA Daw Saw Myat Thandar as co-MC. First, those present saluted the State Flag.

In his address, Chairman Medical Superintendent Dr Nyan Zaw of Mon State General Hospital said that constitution is key to perpetuation and peace of a nation, that therefore, the constitution is a lifeblood of a nation.

As emergence of a constitution is vital for the nation, the government has laid down the seven-step road map and is implementing it.

The government held the National Convention systematically for emergence of the constitution which is needed in building a discipline flourishing democratic nation. With six objectives, the National Convention was attended by over 1000 delegates from all walks of life. Sixteen doctorate degree holders, 55 masters degree holders, 597 graduates, 21 diploma holders and those with vast experience were among these delegates.

At the National Convention such principles as every part of the nation are not allowed to cede from the nation, the State shall not nationalize the private property and foreign troops will never be allowed to be stationed in the country were laid down and it successfully concluded on 3 September, 2007. Altogether 47 national race delegates from Mon State attended the National Convention.
Due to instigation made by neo-colonialists and destructive elements within and without the country among monks, instability broke out in some parts of the country. But, the government has handled these incidents systematically and thus, the situation have returned to normalcy.
The real desire of the people is stability and peace and opposition to violent unrest. The instigation of neo-colonialists and violent protest caused anxiety among people that there may be instability in the state, economic downturn and harmful to Sasana.
Therefore, the entire people of Mon State strongly denounce the protest, protest, he said.
He continued that the goal of a peaceful, modern and developed, discipline flourishing democratic nation is within reach.
In conclusion, he urged the people to strive for successful realization of the seven-step road map and support the National Convention and the forthcoming constitution.

Member of the Union Solidarity and Development Association Dr San Hlaing of Mawlamyine Technology University tabled a motion in support of the National Convention and the constitution.
He said: the National Convention was completed successfully on 3 September.
The delegates to the National Convention laid down detailed basic principles for writing the constitution which is necessary for the future nation.
We believe that safeguarding the three Main National Causes — Non-disintegration of the Union, Non-disintegration of the National Solidarity and Perpetuation of Sovereignty of the State — is the national duty of all citizens.
To build a modern nation, the government laid down the seven-step Road Map and held the National Convention, the first step of the Road Map.

The fundamental principles and detailed basic principles for writing the forthcoming constitution have been laid down at the National Convention.
According to the 1947 constitution, there were four states in Myanmar. In the 1974 constitution, there were seven sates and seven regions. According to the fundamental principles and detailed basic principles laid down at the National Constitution, there will be seven States, seven Regions, one self-administered region for Wa nationals, five self-administered zones for Naga, Danu, PaO, Palaung and Kokang nationals.
In the forthcoming constitution States and Regions are allowed to share executive power, administrative power and judicial power.
The forthcoming constitution guarantees that all national races will have equal rights. Therefore, on behalf of the people in Mon State, we support the National Convention and the forthcoming constitution.

Afterwards, Member of Mon State Women’s Affairs Organization Daw Htar Htar Shwe seconded the motion calling for support of the National Convention and the constitution.
She said: The government has made efforts for building a peaceful, modern, developed and discipline-flourishing democratic nation. Therefore, to build a future nation, the government laid down the seven-step Road Map on 30, August 2007.
The government organized the commission for convening the National Convention and convened the National Convention. At the convention, delegates discussed matters on laying down basic principles for writing the constitution. A constitution can not be written by a person or one organization in a day. If a constitution is written in haste and carelessly, and without discussion, there will be mistakes in a constitution as the 1947 constitution that could lead to disintegration of the national unity.

Regarding the rights for women, the basic principles laid down at the National Convention guarantee that women and men have equal rights and salary in same jobs; women, children and pregnant women have equal rights and the State forbids the slavery and trafficking in persons.

The forthcoming constitution gives equal opportunities for women so that they can serve the interests of the country.

Therefore, we support the National Convention which was held to lay down the basic principles for writing the constitution for the future nation.

Member of Mon State MCWSC Daw Lay Moe Thu disclosed that there are 264,279 members in Mon State Maternal Child Welfare Association. The association is caring for the mothers and children who will take responsibility for the future nation. The fundamental principles and detailed basic principles were laid down by the National Convention.
In building a new democratic state in accord with the seven-step Road Map, tasks on development of human resources, provision of education and health care for the people and promotion of national education are constantly being carried out. The people in Mon State have witnessed development of basic and higher education sectors.
We have known that the principles on education and health laid down in the National Convention will contribute a lot to education and health sectors of the future generation.

For building a peaceful modern developed and disciplined flourishing democratic State, the fundamental principles and basic detailed principles to be included in the forthcoming constitution laid down by the National Convention will guarantee the lives of mothers and children. Therefore, we support the National Convention and the constitution.

U Tun Aye of Mawlamyine Township said that if there is no constitution in a country, tasks on stability of the State, rule of law and national development will not be carried out. It is very important that the constitution must be an enduring one. Building of infrastructures needed are gaining momentum for the future State. In Mon State, transport and agricultural facilities have been burgeoning. Furthermore, education and health sectors in the state have also developed.

There are six fundamental principles on economy in the basic principles laid down by the National Convention. These principles are drafted for the long-term interests of the entire people. The principles will practically contribute to basic interests of the citizens. Therefore, we endorsed the National Convention and the forthcoming constitution.

Secretary U Mann Aung Tin Myint of Kayin Peace Group Haungthayaw Special Region seconded the motion calling for the support of the National Convention and the State Constitution. He said that KNU Brigade No 6 led by U Saw Tha Mu He is an armed group. We took the arms struggle line attacking the government for several years because we were organized under the pretext of liberation of Kayin nationals. Both sides lost their lives as well as peace for the national brethren fought against each other.

After realizing good-for-nothing hostilities, the armed group led by U Saw Tha Mu He broke away from KNU in 1997, unconditionally handed over arms to Tatmadaw and exchanged arms for peace. We favour freedom, peace, stability and development. Unfortunately, the whole armed group felt bitterly sorrowful when U Saw Tha Mu He’s family and his troops were cruelly assassinated by terrorist insurgents.

Under the correct leadership of the Government, we are living in peace and unity. We have decided to work together with the Government. Our group has rights to attend the National Convention. Now the National Convention has successfully concluded because delegates from all walks of life can frankly discuss the basic principles. Neo-colonialists and their lackeys are still committing destructive acts through various ways and means to break up the peaceful and stable country. BBC, VOA, RFA and DVB are stimulating the monks and the people to cause unrest in the country with groundless accusations.

U Htet Nay Hein of Mon State War Veterans Organization seconded the motion calling for support of the National Convention and the State Constitution. He said that peace and stability, law and order, and the national consolidation are the key factors in the drive for emergence of a modern developed democratic nation. The entire national people are now enjoying fruitful results of the development. Seventeen armed groups who exchanged arms for peace and entered the legal fold joining hands with the Government regional development tasks through united efforts. With peace and stability of the State, development tasks are being carried out.

We, war veterans will continue to discharge national duties upholding “Our Three Main National Causes” in spite of our retirement from the military service. It is known to all that recent protests are due to instigation of Neo-colonialists and internal renegades. Both we and the people do not want such protests. If such protests occurred, we would stand up for the people and fight against these. Tatmadaw never turned a blind eye to national interests. War veterans and the national people imbued with Union spirit will work together. Therefore, seven-step Road Map of the State will surely be realized.

The National Convention has laid down six basic principles for Tatmadaw role. Tatmadaw discharged duties to perpetuate sovereignty and independence, strengthen national consolidation and safeguard lives and property of the entire national people in successive Myanmar eras.

Tatmadawmen always stood up for their State and people regardless of their lives, blood and sweat. Despite the retirement from the military service, the war veterans are forever prepared to be engaged in the State’s affairs.

Therefore I absolutely support the already-finished National Convention and upcoming State Constitution.

Ceremony to support the National Convention and the constitution being held in Mawlamyine, Mon State