1. The United Nations General Assembly’s Resolution 49/197 (Para 5) dated 23 December 23, 1994 passed at its 49th meeting unequivocally urged the Burmese government to consult with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, representatives of the different nationalities, and other political leaders to bring about national reconciliation and restore democracy as soon as possible and solve its current problems.

2. This resolution reflects what has happened in our history and we believe that it will lead to a solution to the political impasse we are facing today. Therefore the UNA wholeheartedly endorse it. The family of nations has also adopted it. The Secretary General Mr. Kofi Annan’s Special representative Mr. Razalai Ismail has been coming into the country since 2001 and coordinating with respective organizations to implement the resolution but has not succeeded to this day.

3. On the 30th August 2003, Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt announced the 7 stage Road Map for the country as follows:-

1st stage - Reconvening of the National Convention that has been adjourned since 1996.

2nd stage - After the successful holding of the National Convention, step by step implementation of the process necessary for the emergence of a genuine and disciplined democratic system.

3rd stage - Drafting of a new constitution in accordance with basic principles and detailed basic principles laid down by the National Convention.

4th stage - Adoption of the constitution through national referendum.

5th stage - Holding of free and fair elections for Pyithu Hluttaws (Legislative bodies) according to the new constitution.

6th stage - Convening of Hluttaws attended by Hluttaw members in accordance with the new constitution.

7th stage - Building a modern, developed and democratic nation by the state leaders elected by the Hluttaw; and the government and other central organs formed by the Hluttaw.

Our view is that this Road Map is meant to pick up where it left off and continue with the 104 basic policy decisions taken at the 1996 National Convention.

4. The United Nationalities Alliance has a strong desire to play a significant role in the establishment of a future democratic country. We want to see a National Convention that will genuinely lead to a democratic system. Putting life into the suspended 1996 National Convention is not the way to go because in that Convention

· all the true representatives were not permitted to attend.

· topics for discussion were edited and dissent was not allowed.

· the 104 decisions that were adopted were made solely to give the military a grip on political power.

A National Convention which disregards democratic principles with hand-picked delegates (like the 1996 National Convention) is not one envisaged by the United Nations unanimous resolution. It not only ignores the wishes of the family of nations but also the express will of all the people of Burma.

5. Therefore for the establishment of a democratic nation, and to ensure that a genuine National Convention is held there should be

(a) negotiation between the State Peace and Development Council, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other democratic forces and representatives of the nationalities beforehand.

(b) delegates attending the convention should be by unfettered choice of their organizations.

(c) agreement reached by this tripartite should be recorded and acted upon.

United Nationalities Alliance (UNA)

Dated 10 December 2003