Townselders from Mandalay organized mass rally to support the National Convention and the forthcoming constitution on 14 October at Bahtoo Sports Ground in Mandalay.

The mass rally was attended by over 138,000 people including townselders, departmental personnel, members of social organizations, industrialists, teachers and students of Mandalay Technology Training School, National Races Youth Development Degree College in Amarapura, Mandalay Education College and Mandalay Sports and Physical Education Institute, delegates to the National Convention from Mandalay Division, those who resigned from NLD nurses, members of Red Cross and Fire Brigade and locals.

Before the ceremony, Mandalay District column, Kyaukse District column, PyinOoLwin District column, Myingyan District column, NyaungU District column, Meiktila District column, Yamethin District column and Nay Pyi Taw Pyinmana District column marched towards Bahtoo Sports Ground and took their places.

Patron of Myanmar Medical Association (Mandalay) Eye Specialist Professor Dr Ko Lay presided over the mass rally together with Rector of Medical University (Mandalay) Professor Dr Kyaw Hla, Visiting Chemistry Professor U Tin Maung, Executive of Mandalay Division Union Solidarity and Development Association U Myo Thant, Chairperson of Mandalay Division Women’s Affairs Organization Daw Kye Mon Oo, member of Mandalay Division Maternal and Child Welfare Supervisory Daw Mi Mi Lay and member of Mandalay Division War Veterans Organization Lt-Col Myint Thein (Retd) as member of the panel of chairmen. Executive Daw Kay Khaing Soe of Mandalay Division Chanayethazan Township USDA and Executive Daw Aye Aye Aung of Maha Aungmye Township USDA acted as master of ceremonies and co-MC.

First, those present saluted the State Flag.

In his address, Professor Dr Ko Lay said: Those present here are the ones who do not want unrest but want peace and stability, who do not want to let development damaged and who want to see the realization of the seven-step Road Map.

The Tatmadaw has been striving to lay good foundations in political, economic and social sectors. Moreover, in accord with the desire of the entire people, a peaceful, modern and developed and discipline-flourishing democratic nation is being built.

It is known to all that, although the Tatmadaw had to take the responsibility of the State unavoidably, it is trying to hand over the state power to the people smoothly.

To implement the task, efforts are being made systematically for the emergence of the constitution. Every independent nation in the world has constitution and it is the lifeblood of a nation and the people.

Fundamental principles and detailed basic principles laid down at the National Convention guarantee the sharing of sovereign power of the Union of Myanmar, perpetuation of the Union and fundamental rights of the citizens. The constitution based on these principles will soon emerge. And a peaceful, modern and developed and discipline-flourishing democratic nation, the national goal of the entire people, will surely emerge. People are now waiting to adopt the constitution. We all accept the fact that emergence of the State Constitution is the duty of all citizens of Myanmar. In conclusion, I would like to urge all the people of Mandalay Division to support the National Convention and the forthcoming constitution like those in other parts of the country.

Next, Joint Secretary of Mandalay District USDA tabled a motion calling for the support of the National Convention and the forthcoming constitution and denounce the acts of foreign powerful countries which meddle in Myanmar’s internal affairs and foreign broadcasting stations which invent fabricated news. He said: It is known to all that significant development has been achieved in all parts of the country due to strenuous efforts of the Tatmadaw.

With prevalence of peace and stability, Myanamr is now witnessing economic and social infrastructures. With the concept that enduring constitution is needed for discipline-flourishing democratic nation, the Tatmadaw has been implementing the tasks for emergence of the constitution.

After thorough discussions, the National Convention laid down fundamental principles and detailed basic principles. It can be seen that this constitution vests national races with better rights. It is heartening that after adopting the constitution through referendum, the Union of Myanmar will stand tall among the world nations.

At such a time, those who want to grab power through short-cut try to cause unrest like in 1988. On the pretext of fuel price hike, they staged antigovernment activities.

Recently, they incited unrest making use of monks. NLD members participated in the acts of inciting unrest. Their masters VOA, BBC, RFA and DVB exaggerated the number of about ten as there were tens of thousands of protesters. But those who want to live in peace and stability did not participate in the events. Therefore, people of Mandalay Division strongly denounce their acts.

They shouted bringing down the commodity prices, but in reality their acts jeopardized business and the commodity price became high. Therefore, NLD and so-called ‘88’ generation students are the real culprits of commodity price hike.

I would like to present here that the Tatmadaw exposed some monks involved in the unrest in September and it shows that the Tatmadaw magnanimously handled the situation. Nowadays, people all over the country unanimously support the National Convention and the forthcoming constitution. Likewise, people from 8 districts and 31 townships in Mandalay Division unanimously support the National Convention and the forthcoming constitution and denounce the acts of foreign powerful countries which meddle in Myanmar’s internal affairs and foreign broadcasting stations which invent fabricated news.

Next, Secretary of Mandalay Women’s Affairs Organization Daw Khin Thaung Hnin seconded the motion to support the National Convention and the forthcoming constitution and condemn the instigation and fabrications of some super powers and foreign radio stations. She said that fundamental principles and detailed basic principles cover the life security of women as well as the fact that there is no racial discrimination, gender discrimination and religious discrimination.

Women play an important role in building a peaceful modern and developed nation as they constitute half the population of Myanmar. At present, with the emergence of Myanmar Women’s Affairs Federation all the women are able to take part in nation-building endeavours like men in addition to enjoying the right of life security. It is a golden opportunity for the women that the woman delegates have the right to attend the National Convention and hold discussions on equal terms with men.

The entire mass of women will protect and safeguard races, religion, literature, culture and tradition in line with the constitution soon to emerge. At present, efforts are being made for the emergence of a discipline-flourishing democratic nation aspired by the people and the constitution to be in conformity with the principles laid down by the National Convention. At such a time, some big nations and antigovernment groups are jealous of the completion of the National Convention and made attempts to tarnish the image of the nation resorting to various ways.

Most of Myanmar people are Buddhists and Buddhism is flourishing in the nation. It is known to all that the government is striving for further flourishing and perpetuation of the Sasana.

In that regard, it has opened the State Pariyatti Sasana Universities and held Tipitaka examinations at different regions. And religious titles are presented to prominent Sayadaws and other title recipient Sayadaws at a grand ceremony yearly. It is obvious that pagodas, monasteries and other religious edifices were built in different parts of the nation.

However, regarding the recent protest walks staged by some monks and NLD members some foreign radio stations made fabricat news as though the Tatmadaw government oppressed the Buddhists.

Those present on the occasion have already realized the true event.

Action should be taken against those who are in breach of the existing laws promulgated for community peace and tranquillity and prevalence of law and order and those who tarnish the image of the Sasana.

`Some big nations were dissatisfied with the forthcoming constitution as it will not serve their interest. As such, they are attempting to meddle Myanmar’s internal affairs employing their broadcasting stations such as VOA, BBC, RFA and DVB. We women are committed to deploring and denouncing the attacks and attempts to drive a wedge among the people. The mass of women are to guard against the dangers of internal and external destructive elements that are harming the emergence of the new constitution. In that regard, we women second the motion of supporting the National Convention and the forthcoming constitution and condemning the acts and instigation of destructive elements and foreign radio stations.

Next, Industrialist U Ko Ko Oo of Mandalay Industrial Zone seconded the motion to hail and support the National Convention and the forthcoming constitution and denounce the instigation and the acts of meddling in the internal affairs of the nation. He said that the National Convention is the national goal that calls for the emergence of a peaceful developed and discipline-flourishing democratic nation. The forthcoming constitution will guarantee the prosperity of the nation but it will not serve the interest of those who get the nation and its people into foreign subjugation and who are eager to grasp the State power through short-cut.

We the entire Myanmar people are pleased with the successful completion of the National Convention. At such a time like this a group that is turning a blind eye to the national interest but putting in the fore the interests of a party has a strong dislike to the drafting of the new constitution. That was why they incite the people to take to the street and create violent unrest in the name of religion while resorting to VOA, BBC, RFA and DVB as a tool. But those who took to the street are involved in the unrest is insignificant. Due to the violent disturbance the people who favour peace and stability have to live in constant fear and found it difficult in their daily life.

It is obvious that those who created such incident made use of the innocent people and provided the latter with money in order to get the people into trouble and the nation into abyss. The mass rallies being held across the nation proved the united strength of the people who are dissatisfied with the violent unrest and the incitement of foreign nations. The entire people are desirous of building a discipline-flourishing democratic nation to be in line with the forthcoming constitution. Therefore, I, on behalf of the people of Mandalay Division, second the motion to support the National Convention and the constitution and condemn the acts of the destructive elements.

Afterwards, Daw Mya Kay Thwe, Member of Mahaaungmye Township Maternal and Child Welfare Association seconded the motion in support of the National Convention and the forthcoming constitution and to denounce acts of some big nations who interfere in Myanmar's affairs and some foreign media who air fabricated news.

She said : The State, the people and the Tatmadaw have been making efforts to build a modern, developed and discipline-flourishing democratic nation and peace and tranquillity have prevailed all over the country and the people have enjoyed the fruits of the development.

The National Convention which is the first step of the seven-step Road Map was completed and over 1,000 delegates participated in the constitutional talks and laid down the fundamental principles and detailed basic principles for writing the constitution.

It is not just that some neo-colonialist nations and traitors have made various accusations to harm the national integrity.

Turning a blind eye to benefits enjoyed by the people, some Myanmar elements created unrest and violence in accord with the schedule drawn by foreign countries. Neo-colonialists drew the schedule of inciting unrest and violence in Myanmar and VOA, BBC, RFA and DVB aired the fabricated news and incited the internal destructionists and the people to get involved in unrest and violence. They also broadcast only negative side of situations to create misunderstanding among the people.

They are killers in the air waves. We all should understand that their broadcasts aim to incite the people to murdering, to sabotage and to destroy the unity of the people. Those foreign media and the Irrawaddy news agency and Today news agency were set up with the assistance of a big country and they released the fabricated news sent by NLD.

Therefore, the people held mass rallies to denounce the acts of those media. It is obvious that the fundamental principles and detailed basic principles laid down at the National Convention which was completed on 3 September are foundation for the country and citizens. We, members of Maternal and Child Welfare Association have also participated in the national politics. We believe that the new constitution which can guarantee the perpetuation of the new democratic nation with the unity of the national races will emerge soon.

We are committed to active participation all steps for emergence of the new constitution. We support the National Convention and the forthcoming constitution and strongly condemn the acts of foreign media and some big nations who interfere in the internal affairs of the country.

U Chit Tun, a delegate of people of Mandalay Zegyo seconded the motion calling for support of the National Convention and forthcoming constitution and condemnation of the acts of big nations that interfered in internal affairs of Myanmar and fabricated broadcasts by foreign broadcasting stations. We favour community peace and stability and development. If the country is at peace, business will be normal and students can receive education peacefully. The people value peace and stability. We cannot accept any external or internal organizations that undermine the national development.

In building a democratic nation, the neo-colonialists abet unscrupulous persons and incite the national races. As a result, anxiety and concerns appear among the people.

Today, the people are waiting for approval of the fundamental principles laid down by the National Convention in accord with the desire of the people.

Those who want the people to be poor and to encounter crisis persuaded monks to take to the streets and foreign masters fear that the seven-step Road Map will be successful.

All the people in Mandalay Division will safeguard stability and development with Union Spirit and we support the National Convention and forthcoming constitution that will bring about the good future of the State.

I second the motion calling for condemnation of the acts of big nations that interfere in internal affairs of Myanmar and fabricated broadcasts by foreign broadcasting stations.

Chairman Captain Myint Swe (Retd) of the organizing committee of the War Veterans Organization of Mahaaungmye Township, Mandalay Division, seconded the motion calling for support the National Convention and the forthcoming constitution.

He said that he condemned the acts of both the nations interfering in Myanmar’s internal affairs and foreign broadcasting stations airing fabricated news. Democracy cannot be copied and it must be shaped based on own cultures, traditions and prevailing conditions.

The Tatmadaw government, therefore, based on these characteristics is striving day in, day out for the good sake of the nation and the people. Looking at today’s situation, to achieve the goal of building a genuine democracy is not too distant. It is a pleasure to learn that according to the forthcoming constitution, Tatmadaw members have the right to continue serving national duties. The basic principles to be included in the constitution were drawn after taking lessons from the weaknesses of the previous constitutions and learning some international constitutions. So, all believe that the forthcoming constitution will surely serve the national interest.

Here, shaping a democracy for the emergence of an anti-Tatmadaw government is totally contrary to Myanmar’s historical trend. This is because a so-called leader relying on aliens herself is not a representative elect. In addition, she is not entitled to be a representative-elect government leader according to the existing laws.

According to the 1947 and 1974 constitutions, one who is dependent upon the aliens and who is receiving foreign assistance is not entitled to be a representative-elect. That is why standing by a person who is not entitled to become a leader of elected government is an act of instigation as well as interference in Myanmar’s internal affairs. Recently, some monks and people staged protests in violation of the existing laws. The percentage of the protesters was very little and did not represent the entire people.

Moreover, it is regrettable that on 11 October, the UNSC issued the presidential statement regarding the Myanmar affairs. But the people will continue to support and safeguard the constitution that will be drawn in accord with the principles laid down by the NC. All in all, the WVO members fully support the NC and the upcoming constitution.

Next, the chairman sought the approval of the people for the motion calling for the support of the National Convention and the forthcoming constitution and denounce the acts of foreign powerful countries which meddle in the affairs of Myanmar and foreign broadcasting stations which invented fabricated news. Those present unanimously approved the motion.

The mass rally successfully concluded at 8.10 am chanting slogans.