Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Xenophobia is not nationalism and patriotism, opposition leader Daw Aung Suu Kyi has said.
“She said nationalism is good with good intentions for the welfare of one’s own nationality and with Metta (love) and Cetana (benevolence). But it should not hate and hurt other nationalities,” the National League for Democracy (NLD) party spokesman Nyan Win quoted her as saying.
The detained leader spoke to her advocate and party spokesman this morning at her home on University Avenue, Rangoon.
Today is the 89th anniversary the ‘National Day’, which falls today on the Burmese lunar calendar Tazaungmung 10th Waning Day. This again marks the first boycott of university students of the University Act enacted and promulgated in 1920.
The National Day address delivered by junta supremo Senior Gen. Than Shwe was published in today’s state-run media the ‘New Light of Myanmar’.
In his address, the Senior General said that currently neo-colonialists countries were interfering in other countries’ affairs with the intention of manipulating them in all fields.
He also urged people to cooperate with the regime as it was preparing for the general elections in 2010.
After sending a letter to the junta chief in which Daw Aung San Suu Kyi offered to help ease diplomatic and economic sanctions imposed by the US, EU and Australia, she was seen in public and her voice heard again.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi sent her message on the National Day ceremony held today at the NLD head office in Rangoon through Nyan Win. In a note she said that she thanked all the leaders attending the ceremony from the various States and Divisions.
The NLD reiterated its appeal to the junta for a dialogue and demanded the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) party Chairman Khun Tun Oo, party secretary Sai Nyunt Lwin and other ethnic leaders at the earliest.
In today’s statement, NLD demanded reopening of their sealed branch offices across the country, allowing them to canvass freely and permit official organizational works, re-registering banned political parties, which won in the 1990 general elections along with other political parties.
“I’d like to say it is significant to see Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was allowed to send a message to the National Day ceremony and it is encouraging news for us. We hope positive developments will follow in resolving the crisis in Burma,” NLD Information Department member Ohn Kyaing said.
The National Day ceremony was attended by over 100 people including party members of Arakan League for Democracy, ‘Committee Representing People’s Parliament’ (CRPP) members, veteran politicians and delegates sent by NLD branch offices across the country.
Veteran politicians, who have worked many years for the country, also called for dialogue today.
