Ahead of the 25th anniversary celebrations of the 1988 pro-democracy uprising or 8-8-88 set to take place between August 6- 8, a former military officer wants the issue of exiled former soldiers addressed.
Former Myanmar Army Captain, Nay Myo Zin, who now works for the Myanmar Social Development Network, told Mizzima that he wants the issue included in the anniversary’s discussions.
Nay Myo Zin said that “a proposal will be submitted to the silver jubilee organizers to discuss the matter of former military-men who had fled to foreign countries.”
The main problem for exiled soldiers who had fled Myanmar surrounds the permission required to re-enter the country.
Nay Myo Zin said, “There are some old soldiers who would like to attend the 8888 silver Jubilee, however, because of some of these difficulties they are unable to attend the ceremony.”
The former military captain alsowishes to represent the soldiers on their behalf and join the debate in their stead.
He said, “I do not know yet whether I will have the opportunity to discuss the issue or not. I will just try to make a positive approach. It is also important to take into consideration public perceptions during the discussion.”
Still in contact with former soldiers abroad, Nay Myo Zin claimed they had been facing difficulties in returning.
“Besides,” he said, “further discussion will be made on the military army becoming the Union Army, to have transparency on the government expense on army.”
8-8-88 marks the date when a popular uprising led by Myanmar students calling for democracy was brutally oppressed by the military junta. Some 3,000 demonstrators are estimated to have been killed in the street and in a witch-hunt of reprisals.
