Myanmar celebrated the 60th anniversary of its independence from the British on January 4. According to media reports, the military ruler Than Shwe used the occasion to reiterate the government’s determination to continue with its seven-stage roadmap to democracy. Celebrations were limited to a military ceremony in the new capital, Naypyidaw where Swe urged the people to “make a firm resolve to build a new, peaceful, modern and developed discipline flourishing nation”1.

The National League for Democracy (NLD) meanwhile on the occasion reiterated its call for the release of all political prisoners including Suu Kyi.

• 1. “Burma marks Independence Day”, BurmaNet News, January 4, 2008, at http://www.burmanet.org/news/2008/01/04/bbc-news-burma-marks-independenc...