The curtains were brought down on the 14-year-old constitution drafting National Convention by the Burmese military junta today amidst dissatisfaction among ethnic ceasefire groups, a source attending the convention said.
The source, who attended the convention as an observer and requested not to be named, told Mizzima that with all the demands and proposals rejected, most ethnic ceasefire groups are unhappy over the conclusion of the convention. They do not see how it will help solve Burma's political impasse.
"The convention is one-sided, as the junta has rejected all the proposals submitted by ethnic groups," the source said.
Meanwhile, reports cited the Chairman of the National Convention Convening Commission Lt-Gen Thein Sein as saying that an outline of the detailed principles for a new constitution is in place and work could now begin on drafting it.
The source he and his group have lost whatever hope they had nurtured on the constitution, which will be the outcome of the convention.
The source, however, said while most of the ethnic groups attending the convention are displeased over the outcome, some are willing to accept whatever the junta concedes.
"There are some who are willing to accept as much rights as they can get and there are some who will accept nothing short of all their demands… this is likely reflect in the planned referendum and elections," the source said.
Burma's acting PM, Lt-Gen Thein Sein in June said the convention, which is the first step of the junta's 'seven-point roadmap' will be followed by a referendum and general elections. However, he did not announce any dates.
The convention, which began in 1993 but was suspended for several years and resumed in 2003, has been widely dubbed as a sham by critics and the opposition. Burma's main opposition party – the National League for Democracy – boycotted the convention.
Throughout the 14 year long process of the national convention, ethnic ceasefire groups have jointly or singly submitted three major proposals for inclusion in the draft constitution.
The last round of proposals, which included a 19-point suggestion, was submitted by the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) in August. However, the junta did not allow a discussion on the proposals and ignored the plight of the ethnic groups attending the convention.
"We had no right to discuss and are being made to follow where they lead us," the source, who did not attend today's closing ceremony of the convention, told Mizzima.
Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports said the junta has assigned Saboi Jum, a Christian Reverend and former secretary of the Kachin Baptist Convention, to negotiate with the KIO.
While the information could not be independently confirmed, sources said Saboi Jum is expected to meet the KIO leadership in the near future.
Saboi Jum, played a crucial role in cementing a ceasefire agreement between the Burmese military junta and the KIO in February 1994.
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