19.11.2006
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Editorial: Ugly Flag & Nasty Constitution
_ by Dr. Tayza
SPDC military regime has chosen a new flag for Burma.
The overwhelming response from Burmese people is “Oh! Disgusting” and “Look! How ugly it is”
When Burma first became independent, our flag had a blue square on red background, and a group of white stars inside the blue square. The Red represents the courage of our people and the Blue signifies their love for peace. And the group of Stars shows that Burma is a Union of diverse ethnic groups. And we all respected our flag. We loved it and we were proud of it.
But later, when former Socialist dictator Ne Win came to power, he inserted workers’ symbol gear-wheel and peasants’ symbol paddy into our beloved flag, to high-light his socialist left-wing policies. And during 1988 people power movement, Ne Win’s flags were flown up-side down all over every town and city in Burma. In this way, people showed their resentment to Ne Win and his socialist dictatorship.
And when current military regime came to power after crushing down 1988 people power movements, they carried on their former mentor Ne Win’s socialistic flag, until now.
Now, Burma is going to get her third flag since Independence. And her third constitution, of course.
Our first constitution was drawn up by our forefathers under guidance and supervision from our national hero Aung San, the father of Aung San Suu Kyi. And in that constitution our forefathers included clauses to guarantee parliamentary democracy and federalism in our country.
But after the coup in 1962, the then dictator General Ne Win assumed that democracy was not suitable for his socialism, and federalism could weaken his dictatorship. So he later drew a new constitution to suit his needs. And to signify a new socialist dictatorship era, he gave us a new socialistic flag.
Now the regime is making up a new ugly militant-looking flag to signify military’s perpetual dominance in Burma. When Burma’s army was first founded, it used a three-colour flag with a peacock in it. And so, the regime is now giving Burma a new flag with the same three-colour stripes to show off their dominance. Moreover, it contains only one big star in stead of the usual group of stars. It clearly shows that they see Burma as a solidly unified country. It demonstrates that they have no intention to give federalism to the ethnic groups in Burma.
The new flag obviously illustrate SPDC regime’s real intentions and the true nature of their constitution.
The ugly flag in fact is a warning sign that a horrible future lies ahead for Burma under perpetual military domination.
Comments:
CKGG said _
I fully agree with
this article. Power is by the people, of the people, for the people. But SPDC
does what ever they want. It's a pity and really shame in the world.
National
flag is to be proposed by many before selecting the final one. Then, to get
approval through by referendum.
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