Students mark National Day in Rangoon, 1938.November 22 marks Burma's 88th National Day. It is a day steeped in political significance, which commemorates a boycott by Burmese university students to protest the British colonial administration’s Rangoon University Act of 1920. Many Burmese regard the boycott as the country’s first step towards independence.
This year the chief of Burma's brutal military government has used the occasion to call on all citizens to support a controversial road map to democracy. Senior General Than Shwe said the people are duty-bound to actively participate in the drive to see the seven-step road map to its end.
Than Shwe also warned citizens to be vigilant against foreign powers who he said were interfering in countries' internal affairs.
The ruling junta has no intention of beginning a genuine, inclusive dialogue with opposition parties - and democracy is only achievable through dialogue - not by murder, torture, forced labour, unlawful detention and the brutal stamping out of any opposition or protest.
