Army urged to do its duty, avoid interference
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Activists marked the 139th birthday of Thakin Kodaw Hmine on Monday by calling on the army to defend the country, but avoid interference in other sectors of Myanmar society.
The Thakin Kodaw Hmine Peace Network warned that the country's problems will not be solved if senior military officials use the army to control and interfere in politics, administration of Myanmar and the economy.
Among those delivering speeches were National League for Democracy patron Tin Oo, Aye Thar Aung from the United Nationalities Alliance and Hla Shwe, a former student leader in the 1962 student movement. Veteran singer Mar Mar Aye sang for peace.
"I understood when I looked at (Thakin Kodaw Hmine's) biography that he was a respectable leader and a noble one," Tin Oo said. "I feel great respect and admiration for him because the movement for democracy is still active in this era."
Thakin Kodaw Hmine, one of the country's greatest poets and writers, is considered the father of the nation's peace movement. He died on July 23, 1964 at age 89.
In his interview with BBC on March 20, President Thein Sein said the military had initiated reforms but he put no timeframe on reducing its dominant role in Burmese political life.
"The military has two tasks. One is to fight for the country in case of war. If there's no war they will serve the interest of the people. Serving the interests of the people means being involved in national politics."
The 69-year-old believes that having initiated the move away from dictatorship, the army remains a necessary part of the transition.
"In fact the military is the one who is assisting in the flourishing of democracy in our country," he says. "As the political parties mature in their political norms and practice, the role of the military gradually changes. It's not true that reforms have stalled because of the military," he said.
"The Tatmadaw does not get involved with political parties and is only concerned with the national interest."
