Message by NLD and DASSK on Indepen

[nldburma@xxxxxxxxxxx]

Subject: Message by NLD and DASSK on Independence Day of Burma


Formal message issued by the National League for Democracy
on the occasion of the 51st annivarsary of the
Independence Day of the Union of Burma

	Today, the 4th January 1999 is the fifty first annivarsary of 
independence day of the Union of Burma . Our sovereign independence has 
lasted for over half a century. Our fathers (who fought for 
independence) set goals and the people had great expectations. We need 
to examine what goals and how much of the expectations have been 
achieved within this period. If an objectives assessment is made, it 
will be found that in the early stages of independence there was 
abundance in everything as compared with what we now have.

Let us look for Burma's future. All of us have the responsibility  to 
correct the wrongs of the past. With persistance, courage and tenacity 
we must strive to obtain democracy that guarantees basic human rights 
for all  citizens. We will be discharging the debt of gratitude that we 
owe our great leaders who sacrificed their lives for our independence 
and freedom only by shouldering our responsibilities as they did.

Before long, our Union of Burma will enjoy peace. Then, with pride and 
honour in the midst of the world, we can work for the good of humanity. 
On this the fifty first anniversary of our independence, good wishes are 
extended to all our citizens and may they enjoy both physical and mental 
happiness.

4 January 1999


ADDRESS GIVEN BY THE GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR 
DEMOCRACY ON THE OCCASION OF THE 51ST ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE

We commemorate our country's independence day because we understand the 
value of freedom and wish to honour and remember those good citizens, 
men and women who gave their lives for the cause.

True independence (freedom) is priceless. It is something that every 
citizen is entitled to. Legally , basic human rights that operates as 
our defence must be equally enjoyed by all. A country in which one group 
misuses power and oppresses and crushes the people according to its 
wishes and desires is not a truly independent or free country. There 
were nine pledges made at the time of independence, three of which 
were:-

" Everyone who is a citizen, big or small, far or near, will not suffer 
discrimination. All willl be as of one flesh and one blood. No one will 
have more. No one will have less, no one will be higher, no one will be 
lower. We will be as equals."

" We xxxxx will not act unjustly to others and will not suffer injustice 
from others. We will guard it with our lives."

" We xxxxx will respectfully adhere to our laws."

The pledge ended with the following:- " As our pledges are truthful, may 
our Republic of the Union endure till the end of time." Therefore, the 
struggle for r democratic system with just laws that guarantee equal 
rights amounts to safeguarding and maintaining freedom and independence 
of our country. The Pledge began with these words;- " We will unite as 
one and march in accordance with the principles laid down by our great 
leader Bogyoke Aung San who procured independence for us". My father 
stated categorically that the only system appropriate for independence 
is the democratic system.

Today, on the 51st anniversary of our independence, we honour those who 
understand and cherish true independence and because of this, they have 
made sacrifices and are still making the sacrtifices for the attainment 
of democracy. We are especially grateful to all those who are now being 
held as prisoners, those honourable persons who were elected by the  
people to serve as their representatives who are standing firm fully 
aware of their obligations to those who elected them. We are grateful to 
the members of the National League for Democracy, their families, and 
others who are committed to the cause of democracy. I am certain that 
our country will. without doubt, enjoy the benefits of true independence 
because of these courageous sons and daughters who will not renounce the 
pledges of independence.

FREE DEMOCRATIC UNION OF BURMA WILL SOON EMERGE. May it endure till the 
end of time.

-end-


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