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Burma restarts national meeting Burma restarts national meeting
(2 days later)
A national convention has started meeting again in Burma to try to draw up a new constitution.A national convention has started meeting again in Burma to try to draw up a new constitution.
The convention, made up of delegates selected by the military junta from across the country, first met in 1993.The convention, made up of delegates selected by the military junta from across the country, first met in 1993.
But it was suspended for nine years after the main opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), decided to boycott it.But it was suspended for nine years after the main opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), decided to boycott it.
The convention has been widely criticised as a tool for legitimising the military's hold on power.The convention has been widely criticised as a tool for legitimising the military's hold on power.
But the government insists it is the only forum in which Burma's future can be discussed.But the government insists it is the only forum in which Burma's future can be discussed.
Siege environmentSiege environment
The long process of drafting a new constitution for Burma is now in its final stages, according to many of the delegates at the convention.The long process of drafting a new constitution for Burma is now in its final stages, according to many of the delegates at the convention.
But it is taking place in something like a siege environment.But it is taking place in something like a siege environment.
The military government is holding the meeting in a heavily protected encampment an hour's drive out of the capital, Rangoon. The military government is holding the meeting in a heavily protected encampment an hour's drive out of Rangoon.
All the delegates have to stay there, and are unable to interact with the ordinary people they are supposed to represent.All the delegates have to stay there, and are unable to interact with the ordinary people they are supposed to represent.
Each of the delegates attending is wearing the colourful dress of their different ethnic groups.Each of the delegates attending is wearing the colourful dress of their different ethnic groups.
But all have been hand-picked by the military and none is willing to criticise the constitutional process which will still leave the armed forces with a decisive influence in any future government.But all have been hand-picked by the military and none is willing to criticise the constitutional process which will still leave the armed forces with a decisive influence in any future government.
Opening the convention, Lieutenant General Thein Sein, the fourth ranking officer in the ruling council, referred frequently to enemies and subversives who were, he said, trying to bring about the collapse of the nation.Opening the convention, Lieutenant General Thein Sein, the fourth ranking officer in the ruling council, referred frequently to enemies and subversives who were, he said, trying to bring about the collapse of the nation.
He blamed British colonialism for the disunity and economic chaos that Burma has suffered since independence.He blamed British colonialism for the disunity and economic chaos that Burma has suffered since independence.
The military-guided constitution was, he said, the key to future peace and prosperity.The military-guided constitution was, he said, the key to future peace and prosperity.
At no point did he mention the absence of the main opposition party, the NLD, which won more than 80% of the seats in the last free election.At no point did he mention the absence of the main opposition party, the NLD, which won more than 80% of the seats in the last free election.
Nor did he mention the fact that several leading student activists have been jailed in the weeks running up to the convention.Nor did he mention the fact that several leading student activists have been jailed in the weeks running up to the convention.