He said he extended greetings to Chairman of the National Convention Convening Commission, members of the commission, members of work committee and management committee and National Convention delegates, wishing health of body and peace of mind. He said he was pleased to meet the delegates again. Those who attended the National Convention held in February and March 2005 were invited. Some of the delegates were vacant for various reasons and so new ones were chosen for the vacancies. In the previous National Convention the delegates abided by the procedures, rules and regulations with sense of duty. Therefore the Convention successfully ended without any difficulties. He explained the procedures for the National Convention and other points on food, health, welfare, entertainment and security to the new and old delegates in brief.

Introduction and seven chapters are included in booklet, Procedures for the National Convention. The six objectives of the National Convention— non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity, perpetuation of sovereignty, flourishing of genuine multiparty democracy system, further burgeoning of the noblest and worthiest of worldly values, namely justice, liberty and equality in the State and for the Tatmadaw to be able to participate in the national political leadership role of the State are described in the Chapter 1. The delegates are to discuss matters relating to laying down detailed principles for drafting the enduring State Constitution within the framework of the six objectives.

In performing the duties of the National Convention, seven duties and three rights are designated.

All are to enjoy the rights and subject to the duties. Moreover, code of ethics and discipline to be abided by delegates are also drawn. Delegates should realize and abide by these rules which are laid down with the aim of holding the National Convention successfully which is the most important for the State and the people.

Some of the important ethics and rules are as follows:

1. To be loyal to the Union of Myanmar and not to accept any other country's patronage

2. To follow instructions given by the chairman of group and Panel of Chairmen of the National Convention

3. To comport according to the dignity of a delegate and not to disturb and hinder the functions of the National Convention

4. To discuss matters at the meeting objectively and to avoid speaking ill of others personally or of a certain organization

5. Whenever entering or going out of the meeting hall, all are to bow to the State Flag.

6. Not to bring in arms and ammunition, recorders, hand phones, video cameras, cameras, computers, laptops or such equipment.

7. Before releasing the news about the National Convention officially, the delegates are to keep it secret.

In holding the sessions, panel of chairman is necessary to supervise the session and thus, it is designated to form the panel of chairmen with five representatives from the National Convention Work Committee, ten from delegates of political parties and delegates of representatives-elect , five each from delegates of other six remaining groups. For various reasons, there are vacancies in the panel of chairmen and thus substitutions are to be made.

The Chapter 3 describes scrutiny of the delegates in the session of the National Convention and validity of the meeting. The National Convention meetings are valid if 50 per cent of the delegates attend the meeting.

The Chapter 4 of the Convention deals with the procedures to be followed in discussing matters and making suggestions. He first presented procedures to be followed at the group-wise meetings as follows:

1. Delegates are to submit their proposals and make suggestions to the Panel of Chairmen only after making discussions in respective delegate groups. The Panel of Chairmen is to collect the same proposals and submit them to the National Convention Plenary Meeting.

2. In addition to the proposals agreed by the majority of respective groups, individual proposals or proposals agreed by group or other suggestions are to be submitted to the National Convention Plenary Meeting through the Panel of Chairmen only after making group-wise discussions.

3. Delegates of political parties and representatives-elect are to submit suggestions and proposals agreed by the majority of respective groups to the National Convention Plenary Meeting through the Panel of Chairmen after making group-wise discussions.

4. Along with the proposals agreed by the majority of respective political parties, proposals of delegates representing political parties and independent representatives-elect are to be submitted to the National Convention Plenary Meeting with the permission of the Panel of Chairmen only after making group-wise discussions.

5. If there is a disagreement over the proposals among political parties, respective delegate groups and independent representatives-elect, the National Convention Work Committee will have to make adjustments as far as it can in order to settle the disagreement.

Next, he presented the procedures of the National Convention Plenary Meeting.

1. Proposals and suggestions to be submitted to the National Convention Plenary Meeting are to be stated exactly and clearly.

2. Proposals and suggestions are to be attached with the list of delegate or delegates who will read out them at the meeting and to submit them at the designated time through respective chairmen to the National Convention Work Committee.

3. In reading out the proposals and suggestions at the plenary meeting, the papers must be the ones that have been already submitted in advance to be confirmed. Besides, the papers are to be read out by the one whose name has been already enlisted, and he has to read out only suggestions in the confirmed papers.

4. At the group-wise or plenary meeting, proposals and suggestions are to be submitted in the framework of the six objectives of the National Convention.

5. If there are differences in the suggestions presented to the meeting, the National Convention Work Committee is to make necessary arrangements for making suggestions included again to settle them amicably.

There are also prescribed rules and regulations to be followed in holding discussions at the plenary meeting and the group-wise meeting. They are:

1. do not express disloyalty to the State

2. do not talk about something detrimental to non-disintegration of the Union , non-disintegration of national solidarity and perpetuation of sovereignty

3. do not talk about the interest of organizations and persons that are not in the framework of law

4. do not talk about something that is detrimental to national unity, mutual help and respect

5. do not talk ill of any language and religion

6. do not present again any matter that has already been discussed at the meeting.

7. do not accuse and talk ill of a certain delegate subjectively

8. a delegate is to discuss the topics in line with the proposal paper sent in advance and not to discuss the topics that are not included in the paper. If a delegate reads out some topics that are not included in the proposal paper, only the original paper will be put on record.

When the plenary meeting and the group-wise meeting are in progress, the delegates are not allowed to walk out individually or in group and to mock others. It is important for the delegates to follow the regulations for success of the National Convention.

These regulations are prescribed in the interest of the delegates. Some important points in the don't are as follows:

1. not to distribute documents that are not permitted by the NC Work Committee

2. not to talk about the documents nor publish them outside

3. not to bring arms and ammunition into the hostels and the meeting hall when the meeting is in progress. The rules and regulations are prescribed not for oppression but in the interests of the national races and delegates and for success of the National Convention. It is believed that all the delegates will realize this.

I would like to present the fulfillment regarding management for enabling the delegates to attend the NC with peace of mind, he said.

For the convenience of the delegates, hostels were renovated and facilitated with other necessary requirements for security, convenience and full water and power supply, he said.

He said arrange-ments have been made for the delegates to enjoy meals with daily menu and for vegetarians to enjoy meals in line with religion.

For the health and fitness of the delegates, gymnasium and golf course that cover table tennis, badminton, weightlifting and other facilities for walking and jogging are being provided.

In the meantime, TV, Karaoke, newspapers, journals and book shops, stage show, Anyeint, variety show, movies are also provided for the delegates. Likewise, a hospital complete with specialists, health staff, modern medicines and medical equipment is being opened in the camp. Winthuza shop, GEC shop, optical shop, barber shop and laundry shop are being opened for the delegates. In addition, telephones, faxes, ferries are also facilitated.

Daily allowance of the delegates has been increased from K 200 to K 500 while the meal cost has been increased so that the delegates can enjoy wholesome and healthy foods.

The government has laid down and is implementing the seven-point Road Map for the emergence of a peaceful, modern developed and discipline-flourishing democratic nation. In the process, the National Convention, the first and crucial step of the future policy programme, is being held. Delegates from all walks of life are holding discussions and making suggestions at the meeting.

It is known to all that internal and external destructive elements, who are jealous of the progress of the National Convention, are making attempts for the NC to meet with a failure.

He wished he cannot accept anything harmful to the National Convention, any delegate or individual and as a result, security was tight.

As these rules and regulations on security are badly needed for delegates and national races, they have to be prescribed. They are not an act of oppression, and all the delegates are requested to cooperate for success of the NC, realizing the prescribed rules.
He spoke of the need for the delegates to raise questions at any time. If the delegates have any difficulties regarding accommodation, health, messing and personal affairs, they are requested to inform the responsible officials, who will try their best to render all the necessary assistance.

In conclusion, he called on the delegates to offer suggestions and advice on detailed basic principles in the drawing of State constitution.