(What they said on 62nd anniversary Union Day)
A majority view the unilaterally drafted and forcibly approved junta's constitution as lacking in equal rights for all ethnic nationalities which are the cornerstone of a Union (Federal) and see it as a constitution of supremacy of the military.
And they also urge all the ethnic nationalities to come together to topple the current repressive military dictatorship in order to fulfill the aspirations of our independence heroes by building a genuine federal union with concerted efforts based on the Union Spirit or Panlong Spirit.
Mizzima reporter Ko Wild interviewed some political leaders at home and abroad for their opinions on Union Day and presents the interviews here.
Win Tin
(Central Executive Committee Member, National League for Democracy)We can say our country still exists because of the Union Spirit. The highest benefit given by this spirit is providing common political grounds based on this spirit. But we won't have a common ground between the army and us. And also there will be no common ground between the army and ethnic races because the army is oppressing, restricting, exploiting and brutally torturing us.
All the ethnic nationalities realized later that any nationality cannot oppose the military regime alone. They found common political ground by searching for the common enemy. It is based on the Union Spirit. They realized that no one can achieve a breakthrough by struggling alone against the regime. This thinking is derived from the Union Spirit driving them to struggle in unity by synergy. So I'd like to say the most important spirit given by the Union Spirit is unity and cooperation among us.
Aye Thar Aung
(Secretary, Arakan League for Democracy)(Secretary, Committee Representing People's Parliament)
The ruling military regime is also talking about Union Spirit and Panlong Spirit. And also they are calling Burma as the Union of Burma. On 12 February every year, the Union Day ceremonies are held by both government and political parties.
But in my view, the Union Spirit, Union Principles, Panlong Principles have almost vanished and disappeared these days. Because the essence of Panlong agreement and Panlong Principle are integrating all constituent States into a Union based on self-determination, equal right of all ethnic nationalities and on an equal footing. In this way the Union of Burma was built.
But after regaining independence, the military captured power in a coup in 1962. The Union Principle and Union Spirit became mere words and in essence, the Union of Burma became the unitary state and the rulers ruled in this way. And then the armed forces (Tatmadaw) captured power again in a coup in 1988 and it became a country ruled by armed forces though it is still called the Union of Burma.
Since the multi-ethnic nationalities are living together in this country, it cannot be constituted as a unitary state. It must be a Union (Federal). I would like to say the constitution which was approved by a nationwide referendum in 2008 is not the constitution which can build a federal union with self-determination and autonomous rights given to the ethnic nationalities.
Though there are States with state legislature and state administrative bodies in it, 25 per cent of the seats are reserved for military personnel in both legislature and administration in this new constitution. So I would like to say it has no essence of the federal union. Thus let me say all the ethnic people and the Burmese must strive together to build a genuine federal union by concerted efforts.
Thaung Ko Thang
(MP, Union Nationalities League for Democracy)(Member, Committee Representing People's Parliament)
In the current situation, there is no Union Spirit under the rule of the SPDC. Only if there is a Union, there will be a Union Spirit. But SPDC claims in its newspapers that there is Union Spirit in our country. How can we have Union Spirit in unitary state without having a union (federal)? It's not true. To get this Union Spirit, we must achieve our goal of building a genuine federal union first and then all citizens and ethnic nationalities including Burmese can live together peacefully. This is what all of us want. Holding the Union Day without having a Union (federal) is a farce. Now we have only a Union with military supremacy. All ethnic nationalities namely Burmese, Chin, Indian, Chinese, Kachin, Shan and Karen are suffering under this regime.
Po Than Jaung
(Spokesperson, Communist Party of Burma)In the independence struggle, all sections of people of Burma lost a lot of lives and made a lot of sacrifices. We achieved independence at last in 1948. The most important factor in achieving this goal was building national unity. The national unity was eventually built bit by bit and finally we could have the Panlong Agreement on the day which is called the Union Day. At this moment, we reached the peak of our struggle.
Therefore Union Day is the icon of our national unity, guarantee for independence. In the same way, in the national struggle of toppling the military dictatorship, we need to build a similar national unity in our struggle.
Moreover we need to avoid presenting and discussing the controversial and conflicting issues at this moment and we must seek common ground, a common demand and raise common slogans. I see it as better for all of us.
Thakin Chan Tun
(Veteran Politicians Group)To be able to commemorate Union Day, Bogyoke (General) Aung San and all ethnic leaders of Shan, Kachin, Chin etc signed the (Panlong) Agreement through negotiation and deliberations. After gaining independence, we held Union Day celebrations. But today, some of the people even do not know today is Union Day. It is very much shameful and disappointing.
In fact, the younger generation must be taught and reared with the Union Spirit. But it is disappointing to see nothing is done in this regard. On this Union Day, instead of going in for dynamic and energetic educational campaign on Union Day, they are just issuing a mere Union Day message.
I'd like to say we urgently need to conduct an educational campaign on this Union Day and Union Spirit in the coming years for the perpetuation of this Union forever.
Min Lwin
(Veteran Politicians Group)We gained independence from British colonial rulers thanks to unity among the people in this struggle. After Bogyoke Aung San's demise, ethnic unity deteriorated. I see national unity is essential to build a peaceful, democratic and united country. We must make give and take through dialogue. All the ethnic nationalities must struggle in perfect unity as in the time of Bogyoke Aung San.
Thanke
(Chairman, All Burma Students Democratic Front)First of all, I would like to say the Panlong Spirit is the charter of all of us guiding how to build the Union of Burma. So we can say it is the foundation of the Union of Burma.
Behind the Panlong Spirit, there are some principles. There is freedom in it. So after signing the Panlong Agreement, we regained independence through unity. But unfortunately, after regaining independence, there was no freedom and equality among the nationalities as they envisaged before. There were no self-determination right and equality among the people. As a result of these things, civil war broke out and political instability was experienced.
The constitution was approved forcibly in our country. This constitution has no equality and freedom and what we are saying today is based on the union spirit. There will be no political stability in our country without the right to freedom. I sum up the current situation and see our nationality issues will be worse than before.
