After being under British rule for 124 years, our people were able to regain our independence on the 4th of January, 1948. This was achieved due to great sacrifices in lives, blood and sweat of ethnic national leaders and all ethnic nationals, and led by General Aung San, all of whom showed unflagging determination and intense patriotism. Right from that time, the people of myanmar aspired to have a democratic federal union in the country. They worked hard to build a peaceful and prosperous Union of Myanmar.

The sovereign power of the nation belongs to the people of Myanmar, yet now we see that at this time our independence, that our ancestors fought so hard for, has been taken away by the corrupt, lawless and illegitimate military junta that has removed the legitimate elected representatives of Myanmar and destroyed the people’s freedom and democracy.

General Aung San once said that, “The armed forces are meant for this nation and this people, and it should be such a force having the honour and respect of the people. If instead the armed forces should come to be hated by the people, then the aims with which this army has been built up would have been in vain.“ General Aung San’s fears have been realised, and we are faced with a new battle for independence from the dictatorship of Min Aung Hlaing and his henchman.

In her speech in 1988 Daw Aung San Su Kyi also quoted her father, “We must make democracy the popular creed. We must try to build up a free Burma in accordance with such a creed. If we should fail to do this, our people are bound to suffer. If democracy should fail the world cannot stand back and just look on, and therefore Burma would one day, like Japan and Germany, be despised. Democracy is the only ideology which is consistent with freedom. It is also an ideology that promotes and strengthens peace. It is therefore the only ideology we should aim for.”

She continued to say: “That is what my father said. It is the reason why I am participating in this struggle for freedom and democracy in the footsteps and traditions of my father. To achieve democracy the people should be united. That is very clear. It is a very plain fact. If there is no unity of purpose we shall be unable to achieve anything at all. If the people are disunited, no ideology or form of government can bring much benefit to the country. This must be firmly fixed in the minds of the people. If there is no discipline, no system can succeed. Therefore our people should always be united and disciplined.”

So on this 74th Independence day I wish to reiterate that we all must work together in unity to regain our independence once again. We have achieved much so far in our struggle against the military junta. We are closer now to our original goals of independence, freedom and federal democracy. We will achieve these goals through unity, determination, and discipline. If we do this, and maintain our efforts, before long this revolution will succeed.

Sincerely,

H.E. Dr. Sasa
Union Minister of Ministry of International Cooperation
Spoke Person of Nation Unity Government
Former Special Envoy to United Nations