Myanmar - The Perspective of the Current Government
Myanmar
The Republic of the Union of Myanmar is a country of Southeast Asia, bordered by China, Thailand, Laos, Bangladesh and India. Myanmar is a multicultural society encompassing over 90 nationalities. Our country was known as Burma up until 1989, when the name was officially changed to The Republic of the Union of Myanmar, shortened to Myanmar. The term ‘Burma’ is still used in the Western World but is not accepted and is condemned. In this report however, both terms will be used, but only to distinguish between time periods before and after the name change.
Myanmar has a rich history, especially relating to its early days and independence. Our country’s modern history really began with the Japanese invasion during World War II in 1942. Burma’s main aim was independence, which the Japanese promised to deliver. When it became clear that independence would not be given to Burma from the Japanese, The Burma National Army, led by Aung San, led an uprising. Britain became involved and helped to overthrow Japanese influence. Following World War II, Aung San negotiated the Panglong Agreement with Burmese ethnic leaders, guaranteeing the independence of Burma as a unified state. The Burma National Army became the Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League (AFPFL), and Aung San became leader of the transitional government. But in July 1947, political rivals assassinated Aung San and six of his cabinet members.
On 4 January, 1948, the nation became an independent republic, named the Union of Burma. U Nu took charge of the AFPFL and was the Republic’s first Prime Minister. However, under his rule there were many uprisings in the army as well as among ethnic minority groups. In 1962 General Ne Win was forced to take control to maintain law and order. The military assisted the General in achieving his peaceful goals, and Ne Win became Prime Minister. To restore order, Ne Win founded the Burma Socialist Programme Party (BSPP). He also became head of the Union Revolutionary
The Republic of the Union of Myanmar is a country of Southeast Asia, bordered by China, Thailand, Laos, Bangladesh and India. Myanmar is a multicultural society encompassing over 90 nationalities. Our country was known as Burma up until 1989, when the name was officially changed to The Republic of the Union of Myanmar, shortened to Myanmar. The term ‘Burma’ is still used in the Western World but is not accepted and is condemned. In this report however, both terms will be used, but only to distinguish between time periods before and after the name change.
Myanmar has a rich history, especially relating to its early days and independence. Our country’s modern history really began with the Japanese invasion during World War II in 1942. Burma’s main aim was independence, which the Japanese promised to deliver. When it became clear that independence would not be given to Burma from the Japanese, The Burma National Army, led by Aung San, led an uprising. Britain became involved and helped to overthrow Japanese influence. Following World War II, Aung San negotiated the Panglong Agreement with Burmese ethnic leaders, guaranteeing the independence of Burma as a unified state. The Burma National Army became the Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League (AFPFL), and Aung San became leader of the transitional government. But in July 1947, political rivals assassinated Aung San and six of his cabinet members.
On 4 January, 1948, the nation became an independent republic, named the Union of Burma. U Nu took charge of the AFPFL and was the Republic’s first Prime Minister. However, under his rule there were many uprisings in the army as well as among ethnic minority groups. In 1962 General Ne Win was forced to take control to maintain law and order. The military assisted the General in achieving his peaceful goals, and Ne Win became Prime Minister. To restore order, Ne Win founded the Burma Socialist Programme Party (BSPP). He also became head of the Union Revolutionary