Formal message issued by the National League for Democracy

on the occasion of the 51st annivarsary of the

Independence Day of the Union of Burma

Today, the 4th January 1999 is the fifty first annivarsary of

independence day of the Union of Burma . Our sovereign independence has

lasted for over half a century. Our fathers (who fought for

independence) set goals and the people had great expectations. We need

to examine what goals and how much of the expectations have been

achieved within this period. If an objectives assessment is made, it

will be found that in the early stages of independence there was

abundance in everything as compared with what we now have.

Let us look for Burma's future. All of us have the responsibility to

correct the wrongs of the past. With persistance, courage and tenacity

we must strive to obtain democracy that guarantees basic human rights

for all citizens. We will be discharging the debt of gratitude that we

owe our great leaders who sacrificed their lives for our independence

and freedom only by shouldering our responsibilities as they did.

Before long, our Union of Burma will enjoy peace. Then, with pride and

honour in the midst of the world, we can work for the good of humanity.

On this the fifty first anniversary of our independence, good wishes are

extended to all our citizens and may they enjoy both physical and mental

happiness.

4 January 1999