For observance of 57th Union Day with full political essence

The New Light of Myanmar
Wednesday, 3 December, 2003

For observance of 57th Union Day with full political essence 

As the Union of Myanmar is home to more than 100 national races, it is
of utmost importance for all the national people to safeguard their
homeland with Union Spirit and in accord with our national policy -
non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national
solidarity and perpetuation of sovereignty.

The work coordination meeting on observance of the 57th Anniversary of
the Union Day (2004) was held at the Zeyathiri Beikman on Konmyinttha
in Yangon on 1 December and it was attended by Chairman of the Central
Committee for Observance of the 57th Anniversary of the Union Day
Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt.

In his address at the meeting, the Prime Minister said that the yearly
observance of the Union Day in accordance with full political essence
reflects the stronger Union Spirit with which the national brethren of
the Union won back their independence and sovereignty.

After invading and occupying Myanmar, the colonialists employed the
divide-and-rule policy to prolong their control and attempted through
various ways and means to disintegrate the national unity and tear the
Union Spirit to shreds.

It was only due to the farsightedness and relentless efforts of
patriots and other natinonal leaders that the national unity was
restored and, as a result, independence was regained.

Even 40 years after the regaining of independence, as the colonialists
sowed discord among the national brethren, they had harboured
suspicion and distrust for one another and armed insurgencies broke
out all over the nation . The result: failure to carry out the
nation-building endeavours. It was a great historical lesson for our
nation.

Therefore, the Tatmadaw Government, since its assumption of State
responsibilities, believes that only when there is strong national
unity will peace and development be ensured. With this end in view,
the Government has placed a special emphasis on restoration and
flourishing of national unity.

Realizing the genuine goodwill of the Tatmadaw Government, most of the
groups of national races have returned to the legal fold and are now
cooperating with the former in national endeavours. As a result, the
border areas are now able to enjoy the fruits of peace and
development.

It is necessary to make concerted efforts to be able to observe the
57th Anniversary of the Union Day with full political essence so that
national unity and Union Spirit will become stronger and stronger.
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