Burmese opposition reiterates call for dialogue on Independence day

by Mizzima News

Friday, 04 January 2008 00:00

Burma's main opposition political party – the National League for Democracy – today for the umpteenth time reiterated its call for the release of all political prisoners including detained party leader Aung San Suu Kyi and kick-start the national reconciliation process even as the party marks the 60th anniversary of Burma's Independence day. The NLD, which has long demanded that the junta begin genuine dialogue that will facilitate reforms in the country, in their Independence day statement optimistically said '2008 is the year of political reform through dialogue.' With over 600 participants, including veteran politicians, diplomats, activists and party members, the NLD held the 60th Independence anniversary ceremony at its headquarters in west Shwegonedine in Rangoon. Nyan Win, the NLD spokesperson, said they are optimistic about a political breakthrough in 2008 and hoped that the ruling junta would lend their ears to the calls of the people. Following the junta's brutal crackdown on protesters in September, detained Burmese pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was allowed a rare meeting with party leaders. As a concession to the brutal crackdown, the junta also appointed a Liaison Minister as a go between with the junta head Snr. Gen Than Shwe and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The minister, Aung Kyi, was also allowed to meet opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi thrice as the initial step to prepare for a process of dialogue. However, with the junta making no visible efforts to convene another meeting with detained Nobel Peace Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the talks seem to have petered off. The junta, as much as the opposition groups, marks the 60th anniversary of Independence day at its new jungle head quarters in Nay Pyi Taw. In what seems to be a preparation for the Independence Day, the junta, in its mouthpiece New Light of Myanmar newspaper, has carried articles that exhort the people of Burma to maintain the spirit of the union and to be aware of 'external and internal destructionists', apparently pointing at opposition groups. Meanwhile, Burmese activists in Malaysia were showered with teachings by the Penang abbot Ashin U Pyinnyawuntha during a ceremony marking Burma 's Independence day. Similarly, Burmese activists in New Delhi held a function in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of Burma's Independence day. Burma, after nearly a century of colonial rule, gained independence from the British colonial rulers in 1948. Though Burma enjoyed a brief period of democracy following independence, it plunged into military dictatorship in 1962 when General Newin grabbed power in a military coup. Burma, at independence, was known as the 'rice bowl' of Southeast Asian and was predicted to be the most prospective economy in the region. However, after decades of civil war and economic mismanagement by the ruling junta, Burma today is listed by the United Nations among the Least Developed Countries (LDC). < Prev   Next >