Myanmar Leader Warns of "Neo-Colonialist" Threat

December 6, 2004 -(AFP) Myanmar's top military leader warned the nation against an ongoing threat by "neo-colonialist" outsiders, as junta critics reiterated calls for the release of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

In a message commemorating the 84th anniversary of national day on Monday, Senior General Than Shwe said foreign elements were seeking to dominate and interfere in the affairs of the isolated military-ruled state through media, culture and economics rather than the outright military "hegemonism" of the past.

"Neo-colonialists are adopting new means, trying to encroach on, dominate and manipulate others through social, economic and cultural spheres and the media and information industry," Than Shwe, chairman of the ruling State Peace and Development Council, said in the official New Light of Myanmar and other state-run papers.

"Hence, we must have constant national awareness to ward off their perpetration."

The general, who tops a military hierarchy that has run the country since a coup in 1962, did not mention specific nations, but he has often blasted Western countries, in particular the United States and Myanmar's former colonial ruler Britain which have strict economic sanctions on the regime.

The warning comes four days after the White House demanded that the junta "immediately and unconditionally" release Aung San Suu Kyi, the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize winner and head of the National League for Democracy (NLD).

The White House also condemned her house arrest which was prolonged by a year last week.

Myanmar released more than 9,000 inmates from jail last month including dozens of political prisoners but critics dismissed it as a ploy to earn praise ahead of a summit of Southeast Asian nations.

Amnesty International this year said more than 1,350 political prisoners remained detained in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma.

Myanmar has never admitted to holding political prisoners.

A group of veteran politicians and former freedom fighters meanwhile used national day to reiterate their appeal for the release of prisoners of conscience ahead of any national reconciliation talks.

"We appeal for and request the unconditional release of all political prisoners, the freedom of NLD leaders Tin Oo and Aung San Suu Kyi, and the re-opening of all NLD offices," the group said in a statement.

Aung San Suu Kyi and her deputy Tin Oo have been detained since a May 2003 clash between her supporters and a junta-backed mob.

From: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1535&ncid=731&e=3&u=/afp/20041206/wl_sthasia_afp/myanmar_politics_anniversary