Burma's roadmap to democracy , announced by General Khin Nyunt

Khin Nyunt

General Khin Nyunt is an officer and politician in Myanmar. Khin Nyunt is of Burmese Chinese descent. He held the office of Chief of Intelligence and was Prime Minister from 25 August 2003 until 18 October 2004. He is married to Khin Win Shwe, a medical doctor, and father to a daughter, Thin Le Le...

 on 30 August 2003 in state media, provided a seven-step process in restoring democracy in the country. Endorsed by the State Peace and Development Council

State Peace and Development Council

The State Peace and Development Council was the official name of the military regime of Burma , which seized power in 1988. On 30 March 2011, Senior General Than Shwe signed a decree to officially dissolve the Council....

, it essentially describes the reassembly of the National Convention  in Nyaunghnapin, Hmawbi Township

Hmawbi Township

Hmawbi Township is a township in the Yangon Region of Burma . It is located northwest of the city of Yangon. The principal town and administrative seat is Hmawbi...

, Yangon Division

Yangon Division

Yangon Region is an administrative region of Myanmar. Located in the heart of Lower Myanmar, the division is bordered by Bago Region in the north and east, the Gulf of Martaban in the south, and Ayeyarwady Region in the west. Yangon Region is dominated by its capital city of Yangon, the former...

 to write a constitution, hold a national referendum to approve the constitution, hold general elections to elect members to the Hluttaw (legislative body), and finally hold parliamentary sessions.

Phases

This road map has been variously translated into English as:

1. First Phase - To reassemble the National Convention, which had been suspended since 1996.
2. Second Phase - To implement step by step the requisite tasks for the founding of a democratic system when the National Convention has been successfully concluded.
3. Third Phase - To draw up a draft constitution based on the general concepts and detailed principles advocated by the National Convention.
4. Fourth Phase - To hold a national referendum in order to endorse the draft constitution.
5. Fifth Phase - To hold free and fair elections for the formation of the required national legislative bodies (Hluttaw).
6. Sixth Phase - To convene the meeting of elected representative to the Hluttaw.
7. Seventh Phase - The leaders, government and authoritative bodies elected by the Hluttaw to continue with the task of constructing a new democratic state.

The translation found in the New Light of Myanmar

New Light of Myanmar

The New Light of Myanmar is a government-owned newspaper published by the Ministry of Information and based in Yangon , Myanmar....

 is as follows:

1. Reconvening of the National Convention that has been adjourned since 1996.
2. 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.
3. Drafting of a new constitution in accordance with basic principles and detailed basic principles laid down by the National Convention.
4. Adoption of the constitution through national referendum.
5. Holding of free and fair elections for Pyithu Hluttaws (Legislative bodies) according to the new constitution.
6. Convening of Hluttaws attended by Hluttaw members in accordance with the new constitution.
7. 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.

Reaction

Exile media and pro-democracy groups were critical of the road map, for its lack of set deadlines or time frames. The Myanmar Times claimed that the roadmap represented progress and hope for the eventual democratization of the country. UN envoy to Burma, Ibrahim Gambari

Ibrahim Gambari

Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, CFR is a Nigerian scholar and diplomat. He was Minister for External Affairs between 1984 and 1985...

pressed for a more "credible and inclusive" roadmap in 2008.