THE latest session of the National Convention to draft a new state constitution, which began on December 5, was adjourned last week until the end of the year.

The announcement was made by the Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council, Lieutenant-General Thein Sein, at the close of the session on January 31 at the government-owned Nyaunghnapin resort in Hmawbi, which is located about 40 kilometres northwest of Yangon.

“The National Convention is adjourned today so that the delegates will be able to continue the economic and social affairs they have stopped,” said Lieutenant-General Thein Sein, who is also chairman of the National Convention Convening Commission.

The National Convention, which met six times between 1993 and 1996, resumed in May 2004 as the first step in the seven-stage road map for a transition to democracy. The just-completed session was the third since the road map was unveiled in August 2003.

The road map also provides for the holding of a national referendum to approve the constitution, followed by parliamentary elections.

“The coming sessions of the National Convention will be held when the end of the present year is drawing near, when farmers have less work after having completed their cultivation season,” said Lieutenant-General Thein Sein.

During the latest session, the basic principles for the sharing of executive and judicial powers were approved, and the role of the Tatmadaw (Armed Forces) in the government was also discussed.

The session was attended by 1069 of 1079 invited delegates, which included academics, public servants, farmers and representatives of mass organisations and national groups.

It was also attended by delegates from the Shan State Army (North), who had failed to attend the previous session, and by representatives from the Mon State Party as observers.