Burma Update: January 4, 2008

Highlight

First Presidential Address of Sao Shwe Thaike, the First President of the Union of Burma, to the Nation on January 4, 1948

LET us rejoice at the independence which has come to us to-day, the result of sacrifices undergone by us and those who preceded us in the years that have passed. Let us rejoice also that the independence has come not as a result of armed conflict but as the fruit of friendly negotiations with that great nation whose political bonds we replace by mutual consent to-day with the stronger bonds of friendship and goodwill. Read More »

News from Burmese Media

Democratic Voice of Burma: NLD Members Kept from Independence Celebrations
Democratic Voice of Burma: Officials Demand Money to Boost Electricity Supply
Democratic Voice of Burma: Swan Arr Shin Members Given Riot Control Training
Narinjara News: Bangladesh Importing Rice from Burma
Narinjara News: TV Satellites Taken Down in Maungdaw
Irrawaddy News Magazine: No Freedom, No Independence
Irrawaddy News Magazine: New Mass Movement Issues Open Letter to Junta
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Junta Refuses to Reregister Three Ethnic Cultural Groups
New Light of Myanmar: Message of Senior General Than Shwe on the Occasion of Burma's 60th Anniversary Independence Day

News from Global Media

Al Jazeera: Myanmar Marks Independence Day
Associated Press of Pakistan: Myanmar Regime Urged to Hold Constructive Dialogue
Colombo Page: Myanmar Buddhist Monks Launch Protest March in Sri Lanka
Turkish Press: Myanmar Defiant on 60th Anniversary of Independence from Britain
IOL: Myanmar Opposition Slams Junta Over Talks
Relief Web: Estonia Supports Myanmar with Half a Million Kroons
Interfax Information Agency: Myanmar Diplomat Dies of Heart Failure in Moscow
Japan Today: EU Wants Myanmar at Top of Int'l Agenda
The Straits Times: Atrocities Against Myanmar's Minorities Continue
Xinhua Online: Myanmar Top Leader Calls for Realization of Roadmap

Multimedia

Irrawaddy News Magazine: Burma’s Road to Independence

Opinion/Other

Independent Mon News Agency: Life Story of a Political Prisoner-Nai Yekha - Lawiweng
Irrawaddy News Magazine: 60 Years On: Where Did It All Go Wrong? - Min Zin
BBC: Burma's Bittersweet Independence - Joe Boyle
The Independent: Leading article: A Dispiriting Anniversary
Manila Bulletin Online: National Day of Myanmar

Statement/Press Release

Government News Network: Burma: Foreign Secretary's Statement on 60th Anniversary of Burmese Independence

Report/Briefer

Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma: December 2007 Burma Bulletin
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Weekly Business Roundup (January 04, 2008) - William Boot

Fun

Cartoon: Burma’s Independence – A Treasure Stolen by Pirates
Source: Irrawaddy News Magazine