Address delivered by Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe
on the 59th Anniversary Armed Forces Day
Yangon, 27 March 2004
Comrades,
Today is the 59th Anniversary Armed Forces Day, a day of great significance
in Myanmar history. It was on 27 March 1945 that our Tatmadaw was able to
transform itself from an organization under the influence of others into the
National Tatmadaw. It is also the day when our national sense of honour, shared
by the Tatmadaw and the entire people, was first displayed so decisively at our
own initiative. On such a significant and auspicious day for the State, for the
Tatmadaw and for the entire people, I would like to solemnly inform you of
matters of importance.
Comrades,
We lost our independence because there was no modern Tatmadaw in the
country. With the realization that the cause of independence could only be won
through armed resistance, our efforts to form the Tatmadaw began in earnest.
Looking back at the history of the Tatmadaw, you will see that the fascists and imperialists used every means at their disposal to break up the Tatmadaw whenever it gained strength. Their obvious concern was that a strong Tatmadaw would make it impossible for them to influence and exploit the country at will.
Even the armed Tatmadaw was compelled to exercise patience and forbearance as the nation was under colonial rule. Our Tatmadawmen, being the good sons of the people, could barely restrain themselves when the Myanmar people were subjected to all manner of aggression and bullying by outsiders. This being so, the Tatmadaw and the people joined hands in the resoundingly victorious anti-fascist resistance utilizing the people's war strategy. These glorious triumphs of the people and the Tatmadaw restored our independence and sovereignty.
History has taught us that, in order to protect and safeguard our independence and sovereignty, which was regained at a great cost paid in blood, sweat and lives, it is imperative for the country to possess a modern Tatmadaw and for the Tatmadaw to be at one with the people.
Comrades,
We have to build up and maintain a national defence capability adequate for
the total defence of the nation. Factors contributing to the national defence
capability include not only economic strength and geographical characteristics
but also the country's demographic features. Therefore, it is necessary for each
and every citizen to participate in the defence of the nation with a heightened
sense of patriotism. Defending the nation is an inborn duty of every citizen.
Only when a nation possesses a modern defence capability, will it be possible to ensure the full protection of its sovereignty. Thus, it can be seen that in every nation of the world, patriotic leaders and experts who hold sovereignty dear have the sense of responsibility to contribute to the strengthening and modernization of the Armed Forces.
Comrades,
Our Tatmadaw has three main duties. The first duty is to defend the nation.
We must train constantly for the successful defence of the nation. It follows
from the nature of our defence duty that continuous training enhances
capability. This makes training our second duty. In addition to the duties of
national defence and continuous training, we have to vigorously discharge our
third duty of serving the interests of the people.
We Tatmadawmen are the offspring of the people. Therefore, I would like to remind you to participate wholeheartedly in the activities that promote the welfare of the public wherever you are assigned and to join hands with the people to repulse courageously whatever dangers that threaten the nation and its people, even at the risk of your own lives.
Comrades,
The Tatmadaw was compelled to assume the responsibilities of the State as
the people were faced with a generally deteriorating and extremely critical
situation. In assuming those responsibilities, the Tatmadaw has also become
responsible for the nation's future. Therefore, the Tatmadaw, upholding the
Three National Causes, has laid down the Twelve National Objectives and has been
striving day and night for the emergence of a new peaceful modern developed
nation.
As the Tatmadaw has given priority to achieving national reconsolidation, peace and tranquility now prevail throughout the country, including the border areas. With efforts to achieve peace and stability bearing fruit, endeavours to achieve all-round progress in all parts of the country simultaneously have begun. A trio of major projects - the border areas and national races development project, the 24 special development zones project and the rural areas development project - are being implemented in a coordinated network covering the whole country.
Comrades,
Major clusters of agriculture and other economic infrastructures are being
built wherever necessary. Roads and bridges crisscrossing the length and breadth
of the country have been built, resulting in reciprocal beneficial relationships
among regions leading to greater development. Moreover, in order that highly
qualified human resources develop simultaneously in all regions, the
requirements in the health and the education sectors are being fulfilled
effectively. We are therefore witnessing social and economic developments
gathering momentum in all parts of the nation. However, continued efforts are
necessary to ensure that our country shortly becomes a modern industrialized
nation that keeps abreast of the world.
Vigorous efforts are being made toward increased electric power supply and exploitation of oil, natural gas and other resources, necessary in building an industrialized nation. Furthermore, major state-owned industries and private industrial zones have been established to promote the development of the industrial sector.
It should be noted that nation-building efforts that consolidate peace, modernization and development represent the fulfillment of the fundamental requirements for the emergence of a discipline-flourishing democracy in the nation.
Comrades,
Finally, in accordance with the objectives of the 59th Anniversary Armed
Forces Day, I exhort you:
.
to strive hand in hand with the people for the successful realization of the
State's seven-point policy programme;
.
to crush through the people's militia strategy the internal and external
destructive elements hindering the stability and progress of the State:
.
to participate in implementing border areas develop ment tasks and the five
rural areas development tasks together with the entire people; and
.
to work strenuously toward building up a strong ef ficient modern Tatmadaw
capable of safeguarding Our Three Main National Causes
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