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Burma completes charter outline Burma completes charter outline
(about 9 hours later)
Burma's leaders have declared 14 years of constitutional talks complete and formally closed the country's National Convention, delegates say. Burma's military leaders have declared 14 years of constitutional talks complete, and formally closed the National Convention.
Acting PM Lt-Gen Thein Sein said an outline for detailed principles for a new charter was in place and work could now begin on drafting it. Acting PM, Lt Gen Thein Sein, said an outline for detailed principles for a new charter was in place, and work could now begin on drafting it.
Drafting a constitution is part of a process that Burma's military leaders say will ultimately lead to elections. Drafting a constitution is part of a process the leaders say will lead to polls, but no timetable has been set.
But no timetable has been set for the rest of the seven-step process. It comes as another public protest ended with three arrests.
A planned 240km (150 mile) protest march from Labutta town in the Irrawaddy Delta to the former capital, Rangoon, was halted almost as soon as it began.
Burma has witnessed a wave of public dissent in recent weeks over a doubling of fuel prices, leading to the arrest of more than 100 activists.
It is the most sustained public dissent Burma has seen in 20 years, but whether it has rattled the military government is hard to tell, the BBC's Andrew Harding says.
Boycotting
Foreign media were barred from the closing ceremony of the assembly, held at an army camp north of the main city, Rangoon.Foreign media were barred from the closing ceremony of the assembly, held at an army camp north of the main city, Rangoon.
"Thein Sein said the National Convention has successfully concluded its work. He called it a victory for all people," one delegate to the talks told the French news agency AFP."Thein Sein said the National Convention has successfully concluded its work. He called it a victory for all people," one delegate to the talks told the French news agency AFP.
Boycotting
The National Convention first convened in 1993, but was suspended for several years. It resumed in 2004, with the aim of creating a new charter.The National Convention first convened in 1993, but was suspended for several years. It resumed in 2004, with the aim of creating a new charter.
The government says that once the charter is complete, under a so-called "roadmap to democracy" a referendum will be held, followed by elections. The government says that once the charter is complete, under a so-called "roadmap to democracy", a referendum will be held, followed by elections.
But observers have called the assembly a sham, because its 1,000 delegates have been picked by the government.But observers have called the assembly a sham, because its 1,000 delegates have been picked by the government.
Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy, whose landslide victory in the last polls in 1990 was ignored by the military, is boycotting it. Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy, whose landslide victory in 1990 polls was ignored by the military, is boycotting it.
Analysts say that any charter the assembly endorses will be aimed at cementing the power of Burma's military leaders.Analysts say that any charter the assembly endorses will be aimed at cementing the power of Burma's military leaders.
The move comes amid a wave of rare public dissent in the country over a recent doubling of fuel prices.
Small protests have taken place around the country and dozens of activists, including some of Burma's most prominent dissidents, have been arrested.