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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
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
Comrades,
Our Tatmadaw was a Patriotic Army founded by the people during
the struggle for
Even after
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
Today as well, unscrupulous persons are consistently striving to
disintegrate the
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
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.
