Senior General Than Shwe addresses 62nd Anniversary Armed Forces Day Parade Exert efforts to build peaceful, modern, developed and discipline flourishing democratic nation Fulfil any duty for successful implementation of the seven-step Road Map Crush every danger of internal and external destructive elements obstructing the stability and development of the State

Nay Pyi Taw, 27 March - The following is the full text of the speech delivered by Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe at the parade of the 62nd Anniversary Armed Forces Day held here today.

Comrades,

Today is the 62nd Anniversary of Armed Forces Day which marks a historic milestone solidifying the national pride and patriotic spirit of all the indigenous national races of the Union.

In addition, this day also marks the transformation of the Tatmadaw from an institution under other's influence into a national Armed Forces capable of self-determination.

In the struggle to regain independence, the Tatmadaw and the people joined hands together in unison sharing same spirit and same blood. Many people as well as Tatmadawmen had had to sacrifice their lives in the cause for independence. I would for this reason like to state that we owed so much gratitude to the people including laymen and the monks who sacrificed their lives anonymously in the fight for independence.

On this auspicious day which is a source of pride and honour for the people and the Tatmadaw, I would like to solemnly address you on some matters of importance.

Comrades,

To defend the State is the duty of all citizens and the Tatmadaw in particular. The two essential requisites in defending the State are to constantly aim at building a strong, efficient, modern and patriotic Tatmadaw and to make the Tatmadaw and the people one and indivisible just as water cannot be divided.

Comrades,

Colonialists adopted diverse stratagems and practiced divide-and-rule policy among the national races in order to subject the nation to prolonged servitude. Even before the granting of independence, they went so far to commit terrorist acts by providing arms and ammunition to have the national leaders assassinated.

Following the regaining of independence, armed conflicts among national races erupted in a large scale like the unfastened bamboo poles falling apart. Due to internal conflicts, there was no prevalence of peace and stability in the country and the people had had to live in fear. Due to lack of peace and tranquillity in the country, we were not in a position to build up the economic strength of the country and the people were in abject poverty. Successive governments hand in hand with the Tatmadaw had had to rebuild the State from such a worsening situation.

Comrades,

Judging from the lessons of the history, it is certain that powerful countries wishing to impose their influence on our nation will make any attempt in various ways and means to undermine national unity and to weaken the Tatmadaw.

In an attempt to disintegrate the national unity, they will try to sow the seeds of discord and dissension not only among national races but also within each particular ethnic group in various spheres such as religions, ideologies, social classes, etc. They will also make efforts to undermine the armed forces and other public service institutions as well. Therefore, the primary requisite of the country is none other than the national solidarity. In consolidating the national unity, the national policy which should be relied on as the main pillar is non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity and the perpetuation of the sovereignty of the State.

Comrades,

The Tatmadaw, which never betrays the national cause, has a fine tradition of taking the challenges to solve the problems without hesitation whenever the country is confronted by a threat to Our Three Main National Causes. As has been done in the past, the Tatmadaw is upholding Our Three Main National Causes and will continue to do so in the future as well. All destructive elements bending on the disintegration of the Union, national solidarity and the perpetuation of sovereignty constitute a threat and a danger to the country.

The Tatmadaw entrusted to safeguard Our Three Main National Causes must be well equipped with the ?Three Constants?, namely constant military vigilance, constant training and constant readiness for the battle. Only then will we be able to perform well Our Three Main Duties which are duty to defend the nation, duty to undergo training and the duty to serve the interest of the people.

Comrades,

Our Tatmadawmen are born of the people. As we are beloved sons of the people, we must treat the people as our own parents whenever we encounter with them irrespective of our postings and the assigned duties. We must protect them, defend them and serve their interests. As the sons of the people, all of you have already won the hearts and minds of the people. The members of the Tatmadaw are also building sound infrastructures for each and every sector such as agriculture, industry, electrical and energy, transportation, health and education in order to effectuate the sustainable development of the State and the prosperity of the people in future. Our undertaking of these nation-building tasks is not for us to show them off, but to serve the people in accord with the principle that ?the Tatmadaw always stand by the people?. Therefore, you all must contribute through your active participation in nation-building tasks. Moreover, being precious and illustrate sons of the Tatmadaw, all of you must also abide by the 60 rules and regulations contained in the codes of conduct of soldiers. As the Tatmadaw and the people are united as one, our nation will be able to ward off any danger that may befall the nation.

Comrades,

When the Tatmadaw had to unavoidably assume the State responsibility, the situation of the country was deteriorating severely in terms of both physical and spiritual aspects. The success of the Tatmadaw in building the political strength, economic strength and the defence strength of the State could be attributed to the strength and prowess of the people. Since the Tatmadaw together with the people have been striving for the successful implementation of the seven-step Road Map of the State, the process for the laying down of basic principles for the drafting of a new constitution has now reached to its final stage. The remaining steps of the work programmes will also be successfully completed with the strength and prowess of the entire people.

Comrades,

I wish to conclude by saying that at a time when the Tatmadaw, in accordance with the will of the people, has been undertaking duties of transforming the era and system, members of the Tatmadaw must not only serve the duties assigned to you with speedy and strenuous efforts, but also carry out the following tasks in accordance with the objectives of the 62nd Anniversary Armed Forces Day:

- to exert efforts, hand in hand with the people, in building a peaceful, modern, developed and discipline flourishing demo-cratic nation,

- to fulfil any duty with the true Union Spirit for the successful implementation of the seven-step Road Map,

- to crush, hand in hand with the entire people, every danger of internal and external destructive elements obstructing the stability and development of the State, and

- to strive for building a strong efficient, modern Tatmadaw in order to safeguard Our Three Main National Causes.