Members of a group representing one of Burma's largest minorities say they will boycott this week's constitutional convention because the government has jailed several of their leaders.
At least two Shan military leaders were jailed last week without explanation. The National League for Democracy, Burma's main opposition party, is also boycotting the convention to protest the house arrest of its leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, who was taken into custody in May 2003.
Other delegates have begun arriving for the convention, which begins near Rangoon on Thursday.
The delegates are expected to work on a new constitution for the military-run nation, which has not had one for more than a decade.
Information for this report is provided by AP.
