1,074 delegates accounting for 99.44 per cent to National Convention present;
diplomats, journalists observe

YANGON, 5 Dec — With the six objectives of the National Convention of the State— (a) non-disintegration of the Union (b) non-disintegration of the national solidarity (c) perpetuity of sovereignty (d) flourishing of a genuine multiparty democracy system (e) further burgeoning of the noblest and worthiest of worldly values such as justice, liberty and equality; and (f) the Tatmadaw to be able to participate in the national political leadership role of the future State, the plenary session of the National Convention was held from 17 February to 31 March for 2005 and was temporarily adjourned. The plenary session of the National Convention resumed at Pyidaungsu Hall of Nyaunghnapin Camp in Hmawby Township this morning.

It was attended by Chairman of the National Convention Convening Commission Secretary 1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thein Sein and members, Chairman of the NCC Work Committee Chief Justice U Aung Toe and members, Chairman of the NCC Management Committee Auditor-General Maj-Gen Lun Maung and members, Chairmen of Sub-committees and officials, delegates of Kokang Democracy and Unity Party, National Unity Party, Union Kayin League, Union Pa-O National Organization, Mro (or) Khami National Solidarity Organization, Lahu National Development Party, Wa National Development Party, representatives-elect of National Unity Party, Mro (or) Khami National Solidarity Organization, independent representatives-elect, delegates of national races from Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Mon, Rakhine, Shan State (South), Shan State (North), Shan State (East), Sagaing, Taninthayi, Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Yangon and Ayeyawady Divisions, delegates of peasants from Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Mon, Rakhine States, Shan (South), Shan (North) and Shan (East) States, Sagaing, Taninthayi, Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Yangon and Ayeyawady Divisions, delegates of intellectuals and intelligentsia, delegates of workers from Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Mon, Rakhine States, Shan (South) and Shan (North), Shan (East) States, Sagaing, Taninthayi, Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Yangon and Ayeyawady Divisions, delegates of State service personnel from the SPDC Office, the President's Office, the Pyithu Hluttaw Office, the Government Office, the Supreme Court, the Attorney-General's Office, the Auditor-General's Office, the Civil Service Selection and Training Board, the Yangon City Development Committee, the Mandalay City Development Committee and ministries, other invited delegates, delegates of 17 armed groups who exchanged arms for peace and Dean of Diplomatic Corps Philippine Ambassador to Myanmar Ms Mme Dhoebe A Gomez, ambassadors of Russia, the Arab Republic of Egypt, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Laos, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, Singapore, Nepal, India and China, Charge d' Affaires a i from Brunei, Malaysia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, regional coordinators from UN organizations, officials of Myanmar Foreign Correspondents Club, mediamen from the Ministry of Information and reporters and officials from internal magazines and journals and reporters from foreign news agencies Nihon Keizai Shimbun, AFP, Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS), NHK, Fuji TV, Reuters, Tokyo Shimbun, Asahi Shimbun, TV Asahi, Sankei Shimbun, Ji Ji Press, Yomiuri, VOA, London Financial Times and NTV.

Before the plenary session of National Convention, Chairman of the National Convention Convening Commission Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thein Sein and members, Chairman of the NCC Work Committee Chief Justice U Aung Toe and members, Chairman of the NCC Management Committee Auditor-General Maj-Gen Lun Maung and members, Chairmen of Sub-committees and officials, delegates of political parties, representatives-elect, delegates of national races, delegates of peasants, delegates of workers, delegates of intellectuals and intelligentsia, delegates of State service personnel, and other invited delegates signed the attendance registers at Pyidaungsu Hall and the recreation hall for NC delegates.

Next, Chairman of the National Convention Convening Commission Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thein Sein and members, Chairman of the NCC Work Committee Chief Justice U Aung Toe and members, Chairman of the NCC Management Committee Auditor-General Maj-Gen Lun Maung and members cordially greeted foreign ambassadors to Myanmar, Charges d' Affaires, regional coordinators of UN organizations and reporters of internal magazines and journals and foreign correspondents and replied to the queries raised by mediamen.

The Secretary-1 took the helm of the plenary session, while NCCC Secretary Information Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan acted as MC.

The MC announced the validity of the meeting as 1074 out of 1080 delegates were present, accounting for 99.44 per cent.

The Secretary-1 delivered an address on the occasion. (The Speech is reported separately.)

Then, the session went into recess.