National Convention to start in February

National Convention to start in February

Nov 24 (AFP) - Myanmar's junta said Wednesday a national convention labelled the first Of the seven steps in its democracy roadmap would restart later than Billed in February.

Senior junta member Lieutenant General Thein Sein told state media that ethnic armed groups who had signed ceasefire agreements with the regime would attend the convention, which is aimed at drafting a new constitution.

The timing of the restart had been thrown into doubt by the ouster of The roadmap's chief architect General Khin Nyunt, who was sacked as premier last month and placed under house arrest for alleged corruption.

"The country will go ahead with the seven point road map because it is not a policy conceived by one person but it's a policy that's been decided by the collective leadership," Thein Sein was quoted as saying by the New Light of Myanmar newspaper on Wednesday.

"The national convention which is the most important step in the seven point roadmap will continue until it comes to a successful conclusion."

The attendance of the 17 main groups on ceasefire had been thrown into doubt following the political demise of Khin Nyunt who brokered the deals.

The convention had been expected to resume around October but Thein Sein -- who is also chairman of the National Convention Convening Commission --said after the upheaval last month it would restart in January.

Khin Nyunt outlined the roadmap in August 2003 in response to international condemnation over the detention of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and the lack of democratic reforms.

The reform plan, which is supposed to conclude with multi-party elections, has been dismissed as a sham by key critics the US and Europe.

Aung San Suu Kyi's party, the National League for Democracy, boycotted The convention which lasted two months before it was adjourned in July.

More than 1,000 delagates took part in the first stage of discussions
From various sectors of Myanmar society including political parties, labourers, farmers, intellectuals and civil servants.

The talks were held behind closed doors at an isolated convention Centre outside of the capital Yangon. The sacking of Khin Nyunt and the rise of military hardliners within The Myanmar administration raised fears of an even tougher approach to any opposition in Myanmar.

The junta last week announced the release of almost 4,000 prisoners but only a few hundred have been released so far, according to witnesses and the opposition.

Security remains tight around the home Aung San Suu Kyi on Wednesday, according to an AFP correspondent.

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