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."