Military ruler Senior General Than Shwe called on Sunday for Myanmar's various ethnic groups to support the junta's "road map" to democracy as the country commemorated its 56th independence day.
In an anniversary speech, Than Shwe urged citizens to "strive for the emergence of an enduring state constitution" due this year, one of the first of seven points outlined in the political plan that was revealed last August.
Than Shwe maintained that "peace and stability" was paramount, and he stressed that Myanmar was proceeding along its development path.
"The motherland is now on the right track towards development," he said. Than Shwe did not attend public independence commemorations, and his speech was read out by the leader of Yangon's military command, Major General Myint Swe, at an elaborate flag-raising ceremony attended by thousands of pro-government supporters in the People's Square in the capital.
Than Shwe largely steered clear of sensitive political subjects, leaving his Prime Minister Khin Nyunt to offer a blunt warning against outside interference in Myanmar's political process.
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