All Mon Region Democracy Party which won 16 parliamentary seats in the November 7 elections held a two-day meeting in Mon capital Moulmein ending yesterday, to hold discussions on the constitution and the new parliaments to be convened by the end of January.

“We held discussions with two legal consultants,” said party chairman Nai Ngwe Thein . “There are many things to discuss [in the parliament] – everything including the economy, politics and social issues although we are not sure whether [they] will be accepted or not, but we do hope so”.

“Our country has been without a parliament for many years and we hope that political prisoners will be released around the opening of the parliament. We are also likely to make a demand for that.”

Although it is claimed that the parliament will be convened by the end of January, no preparation for such a procedure has been seen in Mon State, Nai Ngwe Thein added.

Meanwhile, Union Democracy Party that won no seat in the elections has released a statement on December 27, calling for an all-inclusive dialogue, end of sanctions on Burma and release of political prisoners.

“Sanctions on Burma are not helping democratic transformation, national reconciliation and social economic developments in the country and that they should be revoked,” cites the statement.

“We also believe the release of political prisoners, lack of which has been hindering the all-inclusiveness in the national reconciliation, should be granted.”

“We also believe Burma will be swiftly on the path of peace and development if Senior General Than Shwe and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi meet and negotiate.”

The party’s chairman Thein Tin Aung said it would make it obvious that Than Shwe doesn’t want to see national reconciliation in Burma if he refuses to meet with Suu Kyi.