Established 1914 Volume XII, Number 263 9th Waning of Nadaw 1366 ME Tuesday, 4 January 2005 Robust sovereignty of a country rests on solidarity of entire people, with Union Spirit as the base YANGON, 4 Jan — The following is a translation of their noble spirit, they were able to regain inde- ment has given priority to the development of bor- of the message sent by State Peace and Develop- pendence and sovereignty. der areas, whose progress was slow due to security ment Council Chairman Defence Services Com- Taking the lessons of history that the nation was reasons. It founded the Central Committee for De- mander-in-Chief Senior General Than Shwe on the strong and developed when there was national unity velopment of Border Areas and National Races, and occasion of the 57th Anniversary of the Independ- and it was weak and in backwardness when unity has developed the economic infrastructure building ence Day. among the nationalities disintegrated, the government programmes, and transport, agricultural, fish and ani- On this auspicious occasion of the 57th Anni- has made the firm resolve to build the nation, laying mal farming, health and education sectors of the bor- versary of the Independence Day of the Union of down the policy of non-disintegration of the Union; der areas. At the same time, it has achieved sound Myanmar, I would like to extend greetings to all the non-disintegration of national solidarity; and perpetu- foundations for national consolidation. national people of the State, with amity and high ation of sovereignty, and keeping national re-consoli- Plans are being implemented after being drawn esteem. dation and perpetual flourishing and promotion of up for establishing a peaceful, modern and devel- It has now been 57 years since the independ- Union Spirit in the fore. Since its assumption of the oped nation, which has been designated as national ence and sovereignty of the Union of Myanmar was State duties, the Government has been building a goal. In this context, the government formed the Spe- restored, after the entire national people had sacri- peaceful, modern and developed state, placing “Our cial Projects Implementation Committee to build de- ficed lots of lives, blood and sweat. Three Main National Causes”, the national policy, velopment infrastructures. Now, the committee is Since prehistoric times, all the national brethren in the fore. As national solidarity is the prime re- drawing up plans and implementing them regionwise including Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Bamar, Mon, quirement for the nation-building drive, the gov- and sectorwise. Border area development tasks are Rakhine and Shan have been living in unity and ernment held negotiations with armed groups to being carried out, alongside 24 development zones oneness and in weal or woe throughout the course make peace with them, and in this way, it has re- set up nationwide. Plans are also under way for rural of history. Based on the love for their country and stored peace in the whole nation first. As peace is development tasks. Relentless efforts are thus made race, Union Spirit and patriotism has been flourish- prevailing in the nation, it has continued to carry to ensure equitable progress across the country leav- ing in the mind and hearts of Myanmar people out the national development undertakings. ing no part of the nation unattended. throughout the successive eras. Thanks to the urge In its national consolidation drive, the govern- (See page 2) Secretary-1 attends School Family Day Foreign Heads of State send felicitations to Senior Prize-distribution Ceremony General Than Shwe YaNGON, 3 Jan— Training Board, deputy Yangon Division, tion students to become all- YANGON, 4 Jan —˚The following are messages of The 2004-2005 School ministers, diplomats of school heads, teachers round outstanding citizens. felicitations from foreign Heads of State sent to Senior Family Day Prize-distri- foreign missions, resident and outstanding stu- It is doing so with the aim General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and bution Ceremony of the representatives of UN dents and guests. of building a peaceful, Development Council on the occasion of the 57th Anni- Ministry of Education agencies and officials, The ceremony modern and developed na- versary Independence Day of the Union of Myanmar. was held at the Diamond officials of the State was opened with sing- tion through the intellectual From Mr Hu Jintao, President of the People’s Jubilee Hall on Pyay Peace and Development ing of the national an- might of the national peo- Republic of China: Road, Kamayut Town- Council Office, directors- them. ple and of safeguarding the On the auspicious occasion of the 57th anniversary of ship this morning, with an general of departments Next, Chairman good foundations of the the Independence Day of the Union of Myanmar, I address by Chairman of under the Ministry of of Myanmar Education State. would like to, on behalf of the Chinese people and in my Myanmar Education Education, chairman of Committee Secretary-1 It is firmly believed own name, extend to Your Excellency and through you Committee Secretary-1 of Myanmar Examinations of the State Peace and that the emergence of a to the people of Myanmar the warmest congratulations the State Peace and De- Board, rectors, deputy Development Council peaceful, modern devel- and best wishes. velopment Council Lt- directors-general, pro- Lt-Gen Thein Sein oped and discipline-flour- In the past year, Myanmar has made new progress on Gen Thein Sein. rectors, social organiza- made a speech. He said ishing democratic nation maintaining stability, developing economy, pushing Also present on the tions, members of the that the government is and enabling the nation to forward the national reconciliation process and broad- occasion were ministers, school boards of trustees, giving encouragement stand tall among the ening external relations, of which I share the happi- the chairman of Civil well-wishers, township through the education global community rests ness. I sincerely hope that the people of Myanmar Service Selection and education officers of sector to new genera- (See page 8) could continuously make further achievements in the way forward and build a more prosperous country. China and Myanmar are countries linked by common mountains and rivers and the two peoples enjoy profound paukphaw friendship. To develop mutually beneficial cooperative relations in all fields accords the interests of the two countries and the two peoples. I am willing to made joint efforts. With your excellency to further de- velop the friendly relations of good-neighborliness be- tween China and Myanmar based on the five principles of peaceful co-existence in the new century. May the Union of Myanmar enjoy prosperity and her people wellbeings. (See page 2) INSIDE The colonialists oppressed the people in all Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thein Sein delivers an address at sectors especially in the education sphere. prize presentation ceremony of School Family Day for 2004-2005 academic year. — MNA Page 7 SHWE TIN OHN Emergence of the State Constitution is the duty of all citizens of Myanmar Naing-Ngan. 2 THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Tuesday, 4 January, 2005 PERSPECTIVES People’s Desire * Oppose those relying on external elements, acting as stooges, holding negative views Tuesday,4 January, 2005 * Oppose those trying to jeopardize stability of the State and progress of the nation * Oppose foreign nations interfering in internal affairs of the State Safeguard national * Crush all internal and external destructive elements as the common enemy independence and sovereignty Today, January 4, is the red-letter day in Robust sovereignty of a country rests on solidarity… the history of our country because it was 57 ( from page1) foreign policy alongside the five principles of peace- years ago today that it managed to free itself With plans drawn up, new irrigation facilities and ful coexistence, Myanmar always steers her course from the yoke of colonialists and became a sov- river water-pumping projects are being implemented towards friendly relations with the world nations, ereign nation. Independence day celebrations year after year to ensure the infrastructural develop- especially with her neighbouring countries. are held all over the nation every year in ac- ment of agriculture, which plays the largest part in The Union Solidarity and Development Associa- cordance with the objectives with full national national economy. At the same time, electric power tion was formed with youth forces. Now, the Associa- essence. projects, large and medium, are under way to encour- tion is taking measures to turn the force of new It is important for the entire nation, espe- age the industries that will boom and to fulfil the generation youths into the consolidated national force cially the young, to realize and value the fact necessities of social system. Efforts are being made to by giving training to them. that it was due to the united efforts of various generate more and more megawatts of electricity year Putting investment in various sectors in the coun- national races that we regained our independ- after year. In the transport sector, efforts are also try is in a sense laying a foundation for a new state. ence and sovereignty and that, as a result, the being exerted with added momentum on extension, National stability, strong economy for the country and Union of Myanmar is able to stand proudly as upgrading of motor roads, and town and village link- the people, and higher education for the entire na- an independent and sovereign nation in the roads, construction of railroads and river-crossing tional people are central to the establishment of a world. bridges, expansion, upgarding and construction of consolidated democracy. The process of building a Now we are unitedly working towards a airports.