Myanmar marks armed forces day, vows to build peaceful democratic nation
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Myanmar official daily on Sunday called for all citizens to cooperate with the Tatmadaw (armed forces) to build a peaceful, modern and developed democratic nation.
"With representatives of parliament elected by the people being convened, a peaceful, modern and developed democratic nation is taking form," the New Light of Myanmar said in an editorial marking the 66th anniversary of Armed Forces Day.
"Today is the time when the Tatmadaw is leading the nation and the people on the way to democracy by serving as a major national force. Measures are being taken to achieve the democracy goal aspired by the people after the seven-step roadmap has been adopted," the editorial noted.
"It is the Tatmadaw that has always stood by the nation and the people in times of emergency," the editorial claimed. "It is the Tatmadaw that has always protected and safeguarded independence and sovereignty wherever the union was on the brink of collapse."
For the past decades, Myanmar has held military parade to mark the armed forces day, but this year, the day was celebrated with the absence of the parade in the new capital Nay Pyi Taw.
Instead, a teleplay "Birthday Gift" to celebrate the armed forces day is scheduled for broadcast Sunday on the state-run Myanmar International channel and Myanmar Radio and Television ( MRTV)-4.
The country's newly elected two-chamber parliament, with 25 percent of seats reserved for nominated military deputies, has been holding first session in Nay Pyi Taw since Jan. 31, following the November 2010 general election, the first multi-party poll in two decades.
On Feb. 4, the parliament elected former Prime Minister U Thein Sein as president, while U Tin Aung Myint Oo and Dr. Sai Mauk Kham were elected as vice presidents.
The parliament has also approved the nomination of 30 ministers submitted by U Thein Sein.
