Myanmar celebrates 58th Independence Anniversary

YANGON, Jan. 4 Kyodo

In a message to the country read out at the 58th Independence Anniversary celebration in Yangon on Wednesday, Myanmar's junta chief Sr. Gen. Than Shwe urged all ''national races'' to strive for the implementation of the seven-stage ''road map to democracy'' to ''realize the emergence of a peaceful, modern, prosperous and disciplined democratic state.''

The ceremony at the People's Park in Yangon was attended by representatives of the country's various ethnic groups, government officials and the local nongovernmental organizations.

Yangon Division chief Lt. Gen. Myint Swe read out Than Shwe's message.

''Myanmar fell under the rule of colonialists and lost her independence in the 19th century. National races have unitedly fought against the colonialists to regain independence and sovereignty. Now, some big nations are interfering in domestic affairs of others and are trying to influence the political, economic, social and cultural traditions in other countries. It is the duty of the new generation youths to safeguard national independence and culture,'' the general said.

Myanmar gained independence on Jan. 4, 1948 after 124 years as a colony of Britain.

But in the 58 years since independence, Myanmar has been ruled by a civilian government for only 14 years.

Civilian leader U Nu headed Myanmar from 1948 until then military chief Gen. Ne Win seized power on March 2, 1962 and ''introduced'' a ''tradition'' of military governments to the country then known as Burma.

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