50 years later, opposition says Myanmar still not free
50 years later, opposition says Myanmar still not free
YANGON (Reuters): Myanmar celebrated its 50th anniversary of
independence from Britain yesterday amid opposition accusations
at home and abroad that there were few freedoms in the country
despite 50 years of independence.
The government celebrated its "Golden Jubilee Independence
Day" with a flag-hoisting ceremony just after dawn, and the
nation's top general called for vigilance against disruptive
elements within the country.
"We must be vigilant against various wily schemes of some neo-
colonialists who frequently interfere in the internal affairs of
others," Senior Gen. Than Shwe, chairman of the ruling State
Peace and Development Council (SPDC) said in a speech delivered
by one of his subordinates at the ceremony.
"It is the time when we must keep constant vigil against any
movements of those who want to disrupt stability and undermine
national consolidation finding fault without any reason on
pretext of democracy and human rights," he said.
The vigilance was apparent in the heightened security on the
streets of the Myanmar capital. Armed policemen were seen at
several strategic locations in Yangon and security was tight
outside the house of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
The 600 people who gathered at Suu Kyi's house for her annual
independence day celebration were stopped at checkpoints and
forced to identify themselves before being allowed in to her
compound.
Suu Kyi, daughter of Myanmar independence hero Gen. Aung San,
called on the government to hold talks with the opposition, and
lashed out at the ruling generals for failing to give the
freedoms fought for by her father and other freedom fighters.
"Although the independence of the nation has turned to a
Golden Jubilee, its situation is not as bright and beautiful even
as silver -- its far from gold," the National League for
Democracy (NLD) co-founder said in a speech.
"We should be proud of being a sovereign independent state.
However, our inability to implement unity among national races
and (to create) internal peace, the lack of human rights and the
low standard of living of the people and the declining economy of
the country are not as beautiful as gold," she said.
Repeating a request she has made often since being released
from six years of house arrest in July 1995, Suu Kyi called for
dialogue with the government.
"No matter whoever avoids (dialogue) by giving whatever
reasons, the NLD will keep making efforts to solve the political
issues by holding dialogue in view of the people's interest."
Veteran politician Bohmu Aung, one of the 30 founding members
of the nation's armed forces, sent a message on behalf of a group
of 23 veteran politicians calling for improved relations between
the opposition and the government.
"We earnestly request on the auspicious occasion of the Golden
Jubilee Independence Day to build up national reconciliation by
holding talks between the two major political forces of the
country - the SPDC and the NLD," said the message, read at the
ceremony at Suu Kyi's home.
Exiled opposition groups also marked the independence day with
protests against Yangon's military rulers.
A group of exiles gathered outside the Myanmar embassy in
Bangkok and accused the government of repression and human rights
abuses and calling for dialogue with the opposition.
The All Burma Students Democratic Front issued a statement
with similar accusations, noting that the country had been under
military rule for most of the 50 years of independence.
Burma is then name of Myanmar.
"Burma lost her independence again into the hands of the
brutal military regime in 1962. Since that time, Burma has
experienced relentless struggles by her people for the
restoration of democracy and human rights," it said.
"Though January 4th is an auspicious day for the people of
Burma, people remain far away from democracy as recognized by
international norms and greatly suffer from spontaneous abuses of
human rights by the military regime."