'End to internal conflicts needed'
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Myanmar has made slow progress because of its lack of peace and stability. Lasting peace and an end to internal armed conflicts were required to ensure democracy flourishes in the country, President Thein Sein has said.
He inserted the remarks in his message sent to the celebration of the 66th Anniversary Union Day, which falls today.
“The divide-and-rule policy of the colonialists had caused misunderstanding among national brethren, shattering the national unity when the country regained independence. After independence was regained, unity among national people broke up again due to personal cults, factionalism and racism. Consequently, Myanmar was slow to progress,” the president said.
Political stability and the end of armed conflicts were of utmost importance to promote democracy in the country. The government was therefore trying to make sure all the people get involved in the political process. Moreover, it was prioritising the prevalence of peace and stability and the rule of law and socio-economic development to help develop a democratic system, Thein Sein said.
He also urged all the nation’s people to make collaborative efforts to ensure peace and development and to take lessons of bitter experiences such as divide-and-rule by colonialists, oppression and lack of internal peace and stability.
The president urged all national brethren to prevent dangers from “internal and external destructive elements” through Union spirit.
He said all people in the nation had suffered bitter experiences of oppression and illegal exploration of Myanmar’s natural resources to ensure the colonial system and its education system lasted for years.
Patriotic and educated youths led by General Aung San had formed the Burma Independence Army and were able to drive the imperialists out of Myanmar with the help of fascists. Fascists were also driven out of the country due to their barbaric acts.
All ethnic leaders gathered at the Panglong Conference on Feb 12 in 1947 and unanimously claimed independence. From that day on, it became Union Day and it is celebrated every year on a grand scale.
President Thein Sein invited all armed groups including the KIO and political parties to attend the 66th Anniversary Union Day held in Nay Pyi Taw, but the KIO failed to attend because the ceasefire between the parties is still fragile.
