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Senior General Than
Shwe addresses 63rd Anniversary Armed Forces Day Parade Blind to progress
of other nations, lack of defensive alertness resulted in losing of independence
and sovereignty Value, protect and preserve Independence and Sovereignty
All national races, where they reside in country, need to have firm Union
Spirit and national political awareness
NAY PYI TAW,
27 March-The following is the full text of the speech delivered by Senior
General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council
Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, at the 63rd Anniversary Armed
Forces Day Parade today.
Comrades,
Today is the day when we clearly showed and set on record the inherent
capability and strength of our people and our Tatmadaw in the history
of the struggle for Independence.
In order words, I wish to state that this was also the day etched into
our history when the entire people demonstrated their national pride.
Comrades,
The reason why our country was unable to resist the aggressive wars of
the imperialists in the 19th century was because we did not have a modern
army. In our history, just as Prince Kanaung tried to make our country
into an industrialized nation, he also exerted a special effort to produce
modern arms for the Tatmadaw.
But after the demise of Prince Kanaung, the goals of industrial modernization
and the building of a modern army fell apart. In addition, because we
were blind to the progress of other nations and did not have defensive
alertness, we easily lost our independence and sovereignty.
Comrades,
After we lost our independence our people came near to being totally stunted
by colonialist oppression. The life under colonialism, when we had to
call foreigners ?Thakhin? and respond ?Phaya? to them, was a life so unbelievably
bitter that it could not be understood just by the telling of the tale
- one had to actually endure it to appreciate its bitterness. After bearing
this unbearable situation for over a long hundred years the people, with
their patriotic pride of origin rising in their blood, regained their
independence only after sacrificing a great deal of their blood, sweat
and lives. Therefore, I would like to urge you to seriously value, protect
and preserve our Independence and Sovereignty.
Comrades,
Our Tatmadaw was a Patriotic Army founded by the people during the struggle
for Independence. Since its inception, the Tatmadaw was one which overcame
various difficulties and obstacles to come into existence.
Even after Independence, the Tatmadaw sacrificed many lives to safeguard
the perpetuation of our Sovereignty and prevent the disintegration of
the Union and national solidarity. In addition, the Tatmadaw also had
to overcome the danger of external aggression.
In every instance of grave danger to the country, the Tatmadaw stood squarely
in front of the people. This is why those who do not have the right view
towards our country are eternally plotting and striving to disintegrate
the Tatmadaw.
Our Tatmadaw is one which is patriotic, loyal, united, capable, self-sacrificing,
high-minded, and one which always enshrines our Three Main National Causes.
This is why it has stood firm in its existence thanks to such noble traditions.
And this is why I wish to solemnly urge you, my comrades, to continue
to carry on the fine traditions of the Tatmadaw.
Comrades,
If we look back at the history of Myanmar, we will see that when we were
united our country stood in such a grandeur as the First Myanmar Empire,
Second Myanmar Empire and Third Myanmar Empire. Therefore when the imperialists
were governing the country they fostered disunity to disintegrate our
national solidarity.
Today as well, unscrupulous persons are consistently striving to disintegrate
the Union and national solidarity. Actually we, the national races of
Myanmar, have lived in harmony all over the country since ancient times.
Although for administrative purposes 14 States and Divisions have been
created, they are not viewed as separate but as the Union of Myanmar.But
if we do not watch out for the cunning tactics of separatism being used
by others, the danger of the disintegration of the Union may one day befall
us.
Therefore I would like to state that all the national races, no matter
where they may reside in our country, need to have a firm Union Spirit
and national political awareness.
Comrades,
Because of the violent disturbances of 1988 the Tatmadaw, to protect the
life, property and security of the people and to preserve and protect
the sovereignty and independence of the nation, had to take over all the
responsibilities of the country. In the same way as we had restored the
peace and stability of the country, we had also rebuilt the deteriorated
mental and physical conditions of the country.
Since it was necessary to put an end to armed insurgencies which began
with our Independence for the sake of peace and tranquillity and the prevalence
of law and order, we gave priority to national reconciliation. As many
armed groups have come back into the legal fold, today's period is the
best for peace and stability since Independence. Therefore, the people
are now in a position to go about their livelihoods in peace.
Comrades,
As our nation is an agro-based country with more than 70 per cent of its
populace living in rural areas and engaging in farming, our endeavours
to promote economic progress and prosperity of the country and the people
had initially started by implementing massive number of projects for construction
of dams and reservoirs, river water pumping stations and projects for
tapping underground water resources. Besides, such measures as expanding
the arable land, raising major crops yields and transforming to agriculture
mechanization have resulted in development of agriculture sector ensuring
national food security.
In order to transform our country to an industrialized economy through
agricultural mechanization, we have built many State-owned manufacturing
industries and also encouraged the development of private manufacturing
industries by establishing industrial zones. These industrialization processes
have contributed significantly in providing employment opportunities for
the people.
With a view to narrowing down the existing development gap caused by the
physical distance and transportation difficulties between urban and rural
areas, motor roads, railways, bridges and airports were built eliminating
natural barriers and ensuring smooth and better communication to enable
our national races to commute among them in a close and friendly manner.
Comrades,
While shouldering its major responsibilities for defending the State,
our Tatmadaw has also been undertaking nation building tasks for the benefit
of the people. Being warriors who have travelled extensively to every
corner of the country, we can fully sympathize the sub-standard livelihood
of our national races caused by armed insurgencies and difficulties in
communication in far-flung areas. Therefore, we have made vigorous efforts
by implementing projects for the development of border areas and national
races.
Likewise, with a view to equitable and parallel development of the entire
country, we have also established a network of Special Development Regions
where many new schools and universities were opened to bridge the gap
in human resources development as much as possible. Similarly, hospitals
and rural clinics were also newly constructed or upgraded in those regions
for promoting fitness of our nationals in the whole nation.
At the same time, rural area development measures are also taken through
systematic implementation of plans in order not to leave any gap in the
all-round development of the country. Moreover, the development of the
private sector and cooperative sector has also been encouraged for successful
transition from the previously-practised socialist economy to the market
oriented economy.
Comrades,
As there is an essential requisite for a new Constitution in our efforts
for transforming the State to a multi-party democratic system as aspired
by the people, the National Convention was initially convened in 1993
after coordination and consultation with the leaders of political parties
and elected representatives. In 1996, the National Convention had had
to be temporarily suspended due to various reasons. Following the announcement
in 2003 of the Seven-Step Road Map of the nation, the National Convention
resumed in 2004 and has successfully completed during the year 2007.
Comrades,
Though the Tatmadaw Government was compelled to assume the state responsibilities
due to unavoidable circumstances, it has been making necessary preparations
without losing sight of its ultimate aim to hand over the State powers
to the people. Our Tatmadaw is making relentless and dedicated efforts
during its tenure of shouldering the State responsibility with a sincere
aim for development of the country without any craving for power. Therefore,
we are moving forward steadily according to the Seven-Step Road Map in
a timely manner.
Though our national development endeavours for emergence of basic foundations
have yet to be perfectly completed, many essential basic infrastructures
have already been laid down for the benefits of the country and the people.
Moreover, as the New Constitution has already been drafted, it will be
put to a National Referendum in forthcoming May and subsequently the Multi-party
Democratic General Elections will follow in 2010 in line with the provisions
of the new Constitution. The Tatmadaw Government will then be in a position
to transfer the State power.
Comrades,
In conclusion, I would like to stress the fact that it is indeed a historic
mission for the Tatmadaw to perform this important national duty of transforming
the era and the system of the State in a smooth and systematic manner.
Therefore, I wish to conclude by urging you all to strive unswervingly
for achieving the following objectives of the 63rd Anniversary Armed Forces
Day:
* To work in concert with the people in building a peaceful, modern, developed
and discipline-flourishing democratic nation
* To realize the seven-step Road Map of the State joining hands with the
people
* Joining hands with the people and based on Union Spirit to crush internal
and external destructive elements sabotaging stability and development
of the State
* To build a strong, capable and modern patriotic Tatmadaw to safeguard
Our Three Main National Causes.
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