Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe delivered an address at the 60th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Parade in the Resistance Park on U Wisara Road here today. The following is the full text of the address:
Comrades,
Today is the sixtieth anniversary of the Armed Forces Day, when all the nationalities of our Union made history through their acts of courage and national pride. Ours is a patriotic Tatmadaw formed during the independence struggle period with the active participation of the people themselves. With one accord, the Tatmadawmen together with the entire people launched a concerted assault against the fascist menace on the 27th of March 1945. On the anniversary of this special day of historic significance when the glory of our nation and the people shone ever more brightly, I would like to have a few words with you on various matters of serious consequence.
Comrades,
While our country was under servitude, the colonialists sowed political discord, exploited us economically and subjected us to social inveiglement. Upon seeking assistance in the anti-colonialist struggle, our country emerged from the frying pan of colonialist rule only to fall into the fire of fascism. Conditions under the harsh and brutal fascist rule can fairly be characterised as hell on earth. My purpose in briefly revisiting the bitter suffering under colonialist rule is to bring about a deeper appreciation of the value of independence and sovereignty.
Comrades,
Nowadays, the preferred method employed by a major power to dominate and exploit a small country is political, economic or social subjugation rather than outright attack and occupation.
In today’s international relations, every country is endeavouring to give priority to its own national interests. There is a proverb in Myanmar that says, “When push comes to shove, even a mother puts herself before her own son.” We have to be prepared to rely on ourselves and the first priority in every sector has to be self-reliance and self-sufficiency. The next stage is to enhance our economic strength in order to keep abreast of the world’s nations.
Comrades,
Differences in political ideologies and mutual suspicions among national groups led to numerous insurgencies of all colours in the post-independence period. The entire people suffered the miseries caused by the insurgencies. Just as large numbers of Tat-madawmen sacrificed life and limbs to safeguard the people’s lives and property, underground armed groups, who were our own nationals, also suffered loss of life and injuries. The situation was that of two roosters belonging to the same house fighting each other.
From the political aspect, the parliamentary democracy of that period was gradually undermined by insurgencies within the country. Ultimately, dissensions among political parties led to the total collapse of the democratic political system.
Splits within partisan politics set off a chain reaction among the general public, posing a grave danger of total disintegration to the nation.
Thus, with the notion that nation-building efforts under the multiparty system had been untenable due to political discord and dissension, a one-party system was established. However, under one-party rule, the system of checks and balances between one side and another, and between one individual and another, was poorly implemented, with the result that the reporting of economic statistics and figures became inaccurate, ultimately leading to serious economic difficulties. As you, comrades, are well aware, due to all kinds of instigations and incitements, the whole administrative machinery of the State ground to a halt.
Comrades,
As instances of anarchism and brutality appeared in our country, the Tatmadaw had no other alternative but to assume the responsibilities of the State in order to ensure the rule of law, community peace and tranquility.
The Tatmadaw stood tall in front of the people and eradicated all destructive elements above ground and underground, domestic and foreign, who were instigating and inciting unrest. Moreover, as the risk of losing our national independence and sovereignty loomed large, our Tatmadaw, true to its origins in the history of the independence struggle, repelled this threat as well.
Comrades,
Our Tatmadaw assumed the responsibility of the State amidst ruins. It was intrepid in surmounting innumerable obstacles. After ensuring peace and tranquility in the nation, our Tatmadaw proceeded to engage in nation-building endeavours with great perseverance, industry and diligence.
The terrible lessons from the horrors of anarchic chaos that all of us experienced should inform our transition to a democratic system with fully institutionalized discipline, where both discipline and the core values of democracy are guaranteed. The transition process constitutes a subtle and delicate but epoch-making revolution resulting in the creation of a new order. The nation needs reforms in all sectors — political, economic, social and others — to be well-prepared for a democratic system with fully institutionalized discipline.
Comrades,
The government and national institutions need to be strong and powerful in order to effect a transformation from one era to another, and from one system to another, especially when the national economy is still developing and the country requires modernization. Appropriate policies need to be formulated and then implemented effectively. Firm and decisive action is required in legislative, judiciary and executive branches. For this reason, our Tatmadaw is putting forth special endeavours hand in hand with the people, toward building the political, economic and defence capabilities of our nation, guided by political, economic, administrative and defence outlooks.
Comrades,
Our Tatmadaw has laid down and consistently upheld as the national policy the historic lessons of non-disintegration of the union, non-disintegration of national unity and perpetuation of sovereignty, which are Our Three Main National Causes. As working guidelines, our Tatmadaw has laid down The Twelve Objectives, comprising the four political objectives, the four economic objectives and the four social objectives, and is working toward the goal of building a new modern peaceful developed nation.
In this endeavour, the sovereign power of the people has to be returned to its original owners, the people, for the emergence of a new democratic nation where political discipline is fully institutionalized. In order to effect a systematic, peaceful and proper transfer, the National Convention, which is the first stage of the seven-point Road Map, has now been reconvened.
Among the representatives attending the National Convention are the representatives of political parties, elected representatives, and representatives of national groups from each township in Myanmar. In addition, representatives of various organizations that have returned to the legal fold are included in the Other Invitees’ Category. Representatives of farmers, workers, intellectuals, intelligensia and people from all walks of life together with representatives of all the national groups from all over the country have gathered together at the National Convention and are conducting free, open and fruitful discussions. So the expeditiousness with which the political objective of the emergence of a new Constitution is realized depends solely on the degree to which the National Convention can be free of impediment and interference.
On the economic front, clusters of dams, reservoirs and irrigation canals are being built wherever necessary as part of the endeavour to increase the acreage of cultivated land, enhance agricultural production, achieve target yields, and mechanize agriculture for the development of the agricultural sector.
As part of the industrial development programme, efforts are being made for the full-capacity production of existing factories, the construction of new factories and the establishment of private industrial zones for import substitute production. Special endeavours are also being made for the development of electricity generation and energy production, which are indispensable in building an industrialized nation.
With regard to the social sector, concerted efforts are being made to ensure the dynamism of the patriotic spirit and the upgrading of the education standards of the entire people, which are essential not only for the development of the country but also for a functioning democracy. Under a democratic system, only high education standards can ensure discipline and a clear perception of right from wrong. Similarly, without the dynamism of patriotic spirit, it is impossible to face the challenges from abroad that come from all directions.
Inferior education standards lead to a reduced capacity to discern right from wrong and make for gullibility and unprincipled poor choices based on various biases. This would open the door to the kind of chaos and disorder that prevailed during the post-independence parliamentary democracy period, which may eventually lead to the collapse of the democratic system. For this reason, endeavours are being made to develop human resources simultaneously all over the country.
Comrades,
With its allegiance to the nation and the people, our Tatmadaw is serving the interests of the nation with sincere goodwill. As the Tatmadaw, the Government and the people make concerted efforts in nation-building and national defence with a strength born of unity, our country has been achieving progress despite all sorts of restrictions, sanctions and onslaughts. Our political reforms have gained acceptance not only among our neighbours and nations within the region but also among all positive-thinking countries. This is the direct result of our Tatmadaw discharging its national duties with sincerity and goodwill, adhering to its Twelve Traditions, hand in hand with the people.
Comrades,
Even as you, comrades, join hands with the people for nation-building, you need to upgrade the defence capabilities of our nation by building a stronger and more efficient modern Tatmadaw in order to ensure comprehensive security for our country with its continuing achievements in growth and progress, as worthy heirs to the tradition of the capable Tatmadaws established by noble kings Anawrahta, Bayint Naung and Alaung Phaya U Aung Zeya.
Lastly, in accordance with the 60th anniversary Armed Forces Day objectives, I would like to urge you to put forth your very best efforts
- to work in concert with the people to achieve success in implementing the seven- point Road Map for the emergence of a peacefiiV modern develoned and discip1ine flourishing democratic nation
- to exert energetic efforts in carrying out the five rural develop-ment tasks
- to strive hand in hand with the people for the successful realization of The Twelve Objectives while upholding Our Three Main National Causes, and
- to build a strong, efficient and modern Tatmadaw.
With this I conclude my speech.