A senior member of Burma's ruling junta says its plan for gradual political changes is the only way to move the Southeast Asian nation toward what he calls a state of "disciplined democracy."
Thein Sein addressed the latest session Monday of the country's National Convention, which is intended to draft a new national constitution.
Burmese police say an explosion in downtown Rangoon wounded two people Monday as the convention got underway. The police say it may have been a gas explosion, but they are investigating.
More than 1,000 delegates chosen by the junta are attending the convention near Rangoon. However, many Burmese political groups are absent -- in particular, the National League for Democracy, which won Burma's last elections 15 years ago, but has never been allowed to govern.
Information for this report is provided by AFP and Reuters.