NAY PYI TAW June 14
The Tatmadaw is serving the national defence duty. The national defence duty involves the nation- building task and the national affairs apart from combat duties. Extremes must be avoided in serving the national political duty. Steady efforts must be made in accordance with the democracy practices amidst the various criticisms in serving the national political duty, said Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing during his separate meetings with senior officer instructors and senior officer trainees of Command and General Staff College in Kalaw Station and officers, other ranks and families of the station this afternoon.
Present at the meetings were Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, wife of the Senior General, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Admiral Tin Aung San, Commander-in-Chief (Air) General Maung Maung Kyaw, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army), Commander of Eastern Command Maj-Gen Lin Aung, the commandant of the college, senior officer instructors and senior officer trainees and officers, other ranks and families of the station.
In his speech, the Senior General said the Tatmadaw launched the independence struggle together with the people. The Tatmadaw crushed the internal insurgency during the post independence era. The Tatmadaw had to take the political leadership role throughout the past successive periods, and in 1988, it assumed the state duties. During the time, there were differences and disagreements from the political, economic, ethnic, racial and religious point of views. There were a lot of criticisms and slanders based on those differences and disagreements. In 2011, the Tatmadaw steered the country towards the multi-party democracy path, aspired by the people. At present, the Tatmadaw is shouldering the national defence duties entrusted by the Constitution. As the Tatmadaw is born of the people, it is pursuing the goal of democracy aspired by the people. There should be a disciplined democratic system and democracy needs to be correctly practised. The Tatmadaw is a part of the State. So, Tatmadawmen must try to become good soldiers who are living up to the rules, regulations, directives, restrictions, orders and instructions.
According to the geographical conditions of our country, it is necessary to have good relations with the neighbouring countries and the international community. Since internal armed conflicts could not have been ended, efforts are being exerted to achieve peace. But, the Tatmadaw must have strength as there are still challenges. Therefore, a wide range of training has to be undergone. The trainees must always sharpen their military skills in accord with the training motto—study, train and follow order. It is required to be familiar with changing and sophisticated military equipment and tactics. The military skills and concepts they have been taught have to be kept in mind and applied in practical field. Individuals must always undergo training to be fit and healthy and alcohol and self-indulgence must be avoided.
Tatmadawmen are shouldering their defence duties at risk of their lives. The Tatmadaw is like a fence defending the State. Internal and external elements are resorting to various ways to sway the fence. Hence, efforts are necessary to make sure the fence is strong forever. Tatamdawmen joined the military of their own accord. They must be proud of themselves because they are shouldering national defence duties with the spirit of sacrifice that everyone cannot uphold. The Senior General praised the service- men who sacrificed lives and organs for the State and took pride of their sacrifices. Advanced war veterans housings were built in various parts of the nation for settling family members of the servicemen who sacrificed life and organs for the State and the servicemen who lost limbs and braces at the housings. Moreover, they are under the best care with fulfilling food, clothes and shelter needs. Officers, other ranks and families need to live in union with brotherly and family spirits to be able to build the Tatmadaw on which the people and the State rely.
All the citizens should unitedly strive for enabling the nation to stand tall without placing reliance on other countries. Electricity, communications, transport and human resources must be in good conditions for ensuring development of a country. Depending on four aforesaid sectors, development momentum will be different from others. If it is no electricity, social economy of the nation will lag behind others. So, it needs to consume electricity efficiently. Preparations to generate hydropower face various hindrances with reasons of environmental impacts. As such, it may consider for generating hydropower through the Run of River Type for solving such difficulty. Communication systems are of importance for Real Time Information while education is playing a key role for human resources. So also, good health is important for learning and working. Therefore, the Tatmadaw is giving a helping hand to health sector of the people as much as it can. As everybody needs to have health condition in conformity with their age, they should adjust drinking and foods.
The Senior General presented cash awards to family members of the servicemen from battalions under the control of local light infantry division who sacrificed lives, limbs and braces for the State in discharging State defence duty. An official accepted the cash awards. The Senior General then presented foodstuffs for officers, other ranks and families of the station whereas his wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla gave cash assistance for station maternal and child welfare association. The station commander and wife accepted the cash awards.
Admiral Tin Aung San, General Maung Maung Kyaw and Lt-Gen Than Tun Oo from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army) presented fiction and non-fiction books, sports equipment and foodstuffs for officers, other ranks and families of the station through officials. After the meeting, the Senior General and wife cordially greeted the officers, other ranks and families who attended the ceremony.
