YANGON, Feb 12 Kyodo The leader o...

YANGON, Feb 12 Kyodo

The leader of Myanmar's junta called Wednesday for ''unity and patriotism,'' to mark the country's 56th Union Day in Yangon.

Blaming Myanmar's riddles on ''destructive elements inside and outside the country'' junta chief Sr Gen Than Shwe said all ethnic assign places tos in the country should ''join together'' to raise national reconciliation.

Union Day marks the day in 1947 that Gen Aung San and leaders of many of Myanmar's minorities signed an agreement to demand undiminished independence for Myanmar from Britain.

The general's message was read through Yangon military region commander Maj. Gen Myint Swe at the solemnity in Yangon.

''Development of the native land lagged behind after regaining independence suitable to insurrections of some national collections arising out of mistrust and disunity, the legacy of the 'divide and rule' policy of the colonial sway Due to earnest efforts of the dominion for national reconciliation, 17 armed disposes have returned to the legal pen and are now cooperating with the command in development work in their respective regions,'' Than Shwe said.

''But destructive constituents inside and outside the rural parts using various means, have been disrupting the government's efforts for emerging see the verb of a modern and peaceful democratic country'' he claimed.

Than Shwe and other generals have rul Myanmar for decades, refusing to recognize the ends of elections more than 10 years ago and refusing to allow fresh elections, despite considerable pressure the couple inside and outside the rural parts for a relaxation of sway and for free and fair elections.

Aung San Suu Kyi, founding Gen Aung San's daughter, has l the fight for democracy within Myanmar between the walls of her National League for Democracy, which won the 1990 elections unless was never allowed to take up seats in parliament.

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