NLD Statement No-14/02/12 on Union Day
National League for Democracy
(97/B) West Shwegondine Road
Bahan Township, Rangoon
February 12, 2012
Statement No-14/02/12
Today marks the 65th Anniversary of the Union Day of Burma. Today is a historic day on which the Union Spirit (or) Pinlon Spirit was conceived. All the nationalities of our country unanimously determined to struggle for the restoration of the sovereignty of our country on this auspicious day.
All the nationalities regarded Bogyoke Aung San as the National Leader and followed his leadership in the struggle to regain the independence. Because of the united strength of the nationalities, the British Government had to invite a delegation led by Bogyoke Aung San for negotiations on the issues of independence.
Holding to resolutions made at the Naythurein Conference of 19 August 1946 which specified that-
"To voluntarily constitute a State with self-determination for all the nationalities of Burma.
To confer the rights of self-determination to all the Constituent nationalities"
and the statement of the Anti-Fascist People Freedom League (AFPFL) issued on 31 December 1946 which demanded:
"To give independence to the Frontier Areas together with the Burma Proper",
Bogyoke Aung San made negotiation with the delegation led by the British Prime Minister Mr. Attlee at London.
The main subject of the meeting was to form a sovereign State after giving Independence to all the peoples of Burma. Subsequently, simultaneous achievement of freedom for the nationalities together with the Burma Proper also became an important issue. Through peaceful dialogues the delegations led by Bogyoke Aung San for his far-sightedness, patriotism, nationalism, selflessness, honesty and perseverance.
The provisions in this agreement which stipulated that:-
"xxx it was agreed that full autonomy in civil administration is to be conferred to the Frontier Areas"
(paragraph 5 of the Agreement)
and
"The peoples of the Frontier Areas shall enjoy the rights recognized as fundamentals in the democratic countries"
were crucial for the nationalities. This agreement contained the fundamental principles to be applied in drafting basic constitution for our country after independence. It was observed that it held on to democratic and union principles.
With respect to the structure of Union, at the preparatory conference of AFPFL held on 27 September 1946, the National Leader Bogyoke Aung San said that-
"I want to answer the question whether we should build up a unitary State based on one dominant race. In my opinion, we cannot build unitary State giving appropriate rights to other nationalities. We must build a union."
At the coordination meeting between Union Nationalities League for Democracy (UNLD) and the National League for Democracy (NLD) held on 15 July 1989, the General Secretary Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said-
"Today the national cause means democracy and equality of the nationalities. These two aspects cannot be separate in building up a truly prosperous, genuinely united and actually stable Union of Burma, no matter how you name the country of our inspiration, be it the Third Union of Burma or New Union of Burma"
It is important that the "Pinlon Spirit" or the Union Spirit founded by the National Leader Bogyoke Aung San and the leaders of nationalities thrives in the country. Only then the national reconciliation and genuine peace would be possible. A stable and peaceful Union cannot be built up and genuine development could not be achieved without peace in the country.
Therefore, it is declared that the NLD will continue to strive for a peaceful, perpetual Union where all the nationalities are united and enjoy democracy, equality, human rights and prosperity.
As per decision of Central Executive Committee (CEC) held on 2.2.2012,
CEC
National League for Democracy (NLD)