Sustain fine traditions of international friendship

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Sustain fine traditions of international friendship

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In 2011, the UN General Assembly established the International Day of Friendship to recognize the power of friendship among peoples, nations, cultures, and individuals to inspire peace and build bridges between communities, thereby reducing hatred, conflicts, and wars.
The UN’s resolution emphasizes involving young people, as future leaders, in community activities that celebrate cultural diversity and promote international understanding and respect. To mark this day, the UN encourages governments, international organizations, and civil society groups to host events and initiatives that advance global efforts towards fostering dialogue among civilizations, solidarity, mutual understanding, and reconciliation.
This observance is rooted in UNESCO’s concept of the Culture of Peace – a set of values, attitudes, and behaviours that reject violence and aim to prevent conflicts by addressing their underlying causes to achieve peaceful solutions.
Myanmar aims to cultivate sincere and friendly relations with countries across the globe. It values partnerships with nations that understand its unique context and show genuine goodwill, considering them true friends. Regardless of geographical distance, some countries continue to maintain strong ties with Myanmar, reflecting the depth and resilience of their friendship.

Myanmar is a country that adopts and practizes the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, which serve as the foundation of its foreign policy. These principles were established in 1954 by the leaders of Myanmar, China, and India. They include respect for each nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-aggression, non-interference in internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence. Everyone and every country has to strive to ensure the perpetual existence of friendship among them to build peaceful communities.

The Republic of the Union of Myanmar pursues an independent, active, and non-aligned foreign policy. It prioritizes global peace and promotes friendly and enduring relations among nations. Myanmar upholds the principles of peaceful coexistence between countries. This foreign policy is enshrined in Section 41 of the 2008 Constitution of Myanmar. In implementing this policy, Myanmar has established embassies, permanent missions, and consulates in foreign countries to strengthen cooperation with the international community and to ensure mutual recognition and adherence to established diplomatic practices.
True friendship and harmony can only flourish in an environment of peace and stability. Only within a stable and peaceful society can people cultivate loving and harmonious relationships. Myanmar is actively striving for internal peace while also fostering lasting friendship and goodwill with the international community. Just as ethnic armed groups are being invited for dialogue in pursuit of internal peace, continuous efforts are also being made to ensure nationwide peace, stability, and sustainable development.
Myanmar is a country that adopts and practizes the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, which serve as the foundation of its foreign policy. These principles were established in 1954 by the leaders of Myanmar, China, and India. They include respect for each nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-aggression, non-interference in internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence. Everyone and every country has to strive to ensure the perpetual existence of friendship among them to build peaceful communities.

GNLM

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V-Day parades: Remembering history, honouring peace and unity
V-Day parades: Remembering history, honouring peace and unity
The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the victory over fascism in both Europe and Asia. Nazi Germany surrendered to the Allied forces on 8 May 1945 in Europe. The Japanese fascists unconditionally surrendered on 2 September 1945 in Asia, which marked the official end of the entire World War II.The Russian Federation, formerly the Soviet Union, held the grand parade celebration of the 80th Anniversary of the Great Patriotic War on 9 May 2025 in Moscow for Russia’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. 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In addition, these V-Day parades serve to remind the nations to bear a spirit of unity in rejecting any forms of expansionism, hegemonism, neocolonialism and domination in today’s global era.Asian Theatre in the Anti-Fascist WarThe victory over Japanese fascists in the Far Eastern Theatre (the Asian frontline), especially by the Chinese and their allies, played a crucial role in the fight against the Axis Powers in World War II.Documents suggest that at least 27 million people of the Soviet Union died in World War II on the European front line, both in the fights against the Nazis and the civilian fatalities in collateral damage. What is more, the Soviet Union suffered the highest number of casualties of other nations in the European Theatre in World War II. That was in Europe.In the Asian frontline, the Chinese contribution in the wartime deserves earnest recognition, and China was one of the significant players in the Allied victory in Asia.At least 35 million Chinese sacrificed their lives and souls in its War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression through the fights, collateral damages, famines and inhumane war crimes. History witnesses the most ferocious war crimes and humiliations (for instance, killings, massacres and rapes in Nanjing) committed by Japanese fascists against human dignity during World War II in Asia.Battles in the Chinese territory were the bloodiest and longest among different theatres during the Second World War. The Chinese’s unwavering resistance against Japanese fascism for their national sovereignty within 14 years from 1931 to 1945 deserves respect and admiration. Only resilience, persistence and unity brought the world back to peace after the historic war.Myanmar’s geostrategic location is vital in ending World War IIMyanmar also suffered aggression during World War II, and the people of Myanmar rose to fight against the fascists on 27 March 1945 on a nationwide scale. The day was primarily marked as Myanmar’s Resistance Day against Japanese fascists; then later became the Armed Forces Day of Myanmar, and the country commemorates annually on this day as the birth of its guardians – Myanmar’s Armed Forces (Tatmadaw).Myanmar, a Southeast Asian country, is geo-strategically located at the junction between South Asia, East Asia and Southeast Asia. The country’s position of sitting at the southern end of the Himalayas mountain ranges, to the bank of the Indian Ocean, and its heartland served as the crucial course for military logistics and supply route of the Allied forces in assisting Chinese resistance against Japanese fascism, which drew the war outcomes ending the fascism.After Japanese forces occupied China’s seaports in 1937, the Chinese initiated construction of the Burma Road (the road linking Lashio in Myanmar to Kunming in China’s Yunnan Province). The road was designed to extend the supply line to the landlocked Yunnan with the mainland of Myanmar. Before Japanese forces cut off the Burma Road in 1942, it served as the primary course of military logistics to the interior of China from Yangon. Fuel, ammunition, and other military supplies from the Allied forces arriving in Yangon Port, then transported to Lashio by railway. Supplies were then transferred via the Burma Road (also known as the Lashio-Kunming Road), passing through Wanding, the China-Myanmar border gate.Built in 1928 and once serving as the vital wartime lifeline, the Wanding Bridge continues its vital role in the bilateral trade corridor these days. Thus, the bridge still serves as an emblem of regional cooperation between Myanmar and China.As a matter of fact, old British ancestors already noticed the potential of vital plots of connecting townships located in northern and northeast Myanmar, such as Bhamo, Lashio, Muse and Wanding, between Mandalay and Yangon with China at the very earliest, since colonial times.When Japanese forces blockaded the Burma Road in 1942, Chinese and Allied forces created a bypass for the supply flow with the Ledo Road. 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The Importance of Unity in the Modern World
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The path from unity to success is not always easy, but it is always powerful and transformational. For example, in a workplace, a united team is more likely to meet its goals, innovate, and grow. In a classroom, students who help each other learn more and perform better. In a country, citizens who work together can build a better future for the next generation.The Power of Unity: Unity means working together toward a common goal with shared values and mutual respect. When people are united, they support each other through challenges and celebrate achievements together. This sense of togetherness builds trust, reduces conflict, and brings out the best in everyone. In nature, we see unity in the flight of birds moving in harmony or the teamwork of ants building their colony. In human society, unity can be even more impactful. History is full of examples where unity has led to extraordinary success, whether in freedom movements, humanitarian missions, or scientific breakthroughs.Unity in Action: In daily life, unity can be seen in families where love and cooperation create a strong foundation. In schools, unity among students and teachers fosters a positive learning environment. In communities, unity helps solve problems such as poverty, disease, and disaster response more effectively. When people stand together, even the most difficult situations can be overcome. At the national level, unity is essential for peace, development, and resilience. A nation divided by conflict or hatred cannot progress. But when its people are united across different backgrounds, religions, or beliefs, success becomes achievable not just economically, but socially and culturally.Challenges to Unity: Achieving unity is not without its challenges. Differences in opinions, selfish interests, and prejudice can divide people. 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Putting Timor Leste in its place
Putting Timor Leste in its place
‘Never let facts get in the way of a story.’This saying appears to be the defining mantra governing Timor Leste’s leadership, recently represented by its Charge d’Affaires in Nay Pyi Taw. Dili, it seems, now affirms a ‘dedication to upholding the principles of the ASEAN Charter’, and to ‘strengthening ties with Myanmar’. The restraint and composure shown by Myanmar to even entertain the Timorese representative should be commended.The audacity is breathtaking. Timor Leste’s leaders have cavorted with terrorists who have butchered and seek to kill Myanmar citizens further. Its President, Jose Ramos Horta, has disgustingly validated representatives of a group of terrorist grifters and philanderers now sliding into irrelevance with each passing day. At one point, Timor Leste even called for Tatmadaw soldiers to betray their oaths. Horta further repeated outright lies from disgraced Yanghee Lee’s disreputable outfit – a worthless gaggle of former UN has-beens now working as groupies for terrorists in Myanmar to cling to any shred of relevance. Horta would later bark ‘condemnations’ of Myanmar’s planned elections, thus endorsing threats made against civilians involved in the country’s election process. Such calls for insurrection and interference in the domestic affairs of another sovereign country go far beyond the meaningless platitudes common to the cheap Western activist spiel spat out on social media.These overtures should come as no surprise. Modern Timor Leste and Horta’s Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor (FRETELIN) was born through many years of subjecting Timorese and ethnic Indonesians to terroristic atrocities while being cradled by the paws of Western bias in their favour. FRETELIN thugs – very similar to the terrorists operating in Myanmar – forced rural bystanders into ‘protected villages’ in measures which led to massive bouts of famine, starvation and killing tens of thousands of civilians. As founder, Horta and his fellow FRETELIN terrorists oversaw the wanton slaughter of political rivals for many years, including innocent Timorese civilians who voted against independence.Their campaign of “Mati An” in the 1970s saw the group murder thousands of its own members for ‘counterrevolutionary’ activities – actions adopted by the ABSDF (North) in their massacres in Pajaung and by the many lowlife terrorist cells roaming Myanmar today. This politicide extended to its main rival, the Timorese Democratic Union (UDT). Radio broadcasts by FRETELIN called for the execution of ‘traitors’, from UDT, riling up civilian bystanders into abetting the group’s atrocities.And yet, Horta and FRETELIN received zero accountability for these crimes. The Serious Crimes Unit (SCU), a joint UN-Timor entity set up in 1999 to investigate war crimes, disproportionately focused on crimes by pro-Indonesia militias while ignoring or, at worst, covering up FRETELIN atrocities. FRETELIN-backed gangs disrupted independent investigations and threatened and even killed family members of FRETELIN victims. These heinous campaigns of terror somehow resulted in Horta being awarded a Nobel Peace Prize in 1996 – another example of the award’s diminished legitimacy. So long as the terrorist in question serves the interests of the winds of the ‘international community’, said terrorist and his affiliates will be beyond reproach, with their only requirement being to occasionally spout Western liberal talking points.This mindset of unchecked immunity has translated into Timor-Leste’s relations with Myanmar. Horta and his government believe there are no consequences for supporting terrorists from another country – the same kind of mindset seen in the (often vacuous) heads of Western European diplomats. Dili thinks it can mouth off and abet calls for terrorism in Myanmar with impunity and saunter into becoming an ASEAN member state.We should remember this: Timor Leste is playing the Gambia playbook. It has marketed itself as a sock-puppet for the Western neoliberal rulers, getting overwhelmingly trounced in domestic opinion polls, in return for increased regional visibility and other perks. No genuinely productive citizen in the West currently has the time to cheer on the vapid, moral grandstanding exercises made overseas by their governing and ruling classes as they struggle with debt, immigration and soaring costs of living.Myanmar, for context, has always sought harmony and peace in its international relations. The country’s governing and long-held foreign policy doctrine remains rooted in non-interventionism. Myanmar just so happens to be also one of those conflict landscapes where lazy, grandstanding statements, articles, books and entire careers as ‘country experts’ and academics can be manufactured by simply regurgitating terrorist propaganda. Six-figure salaries and consulting fees are drawn by ‘experts’ and activists repeating the same empty, biased nonsensical script, with paraphrased versions of the same junk published in outlets largely overseen by editors who couldn’t point out Shan State from Taninthayi Region on a map.These experts rely on the work of local quislings only too willing to betray the country for the privilege of being labelled ‘brave dissidents’. Just like how FRETELIN’s terrorist gangs and PDF terrorists murder political opponents, discussions that go against the prevailing, anti-Myanmar government narrative are silenced and not allowed any genuine consideration – a legacy of the ‘safe space’ narrative environment cultivated by the despicable tyrants of western liberal hegemonic institutions. As such, this echo chamber becomes ripe for countries like Timor Leste and people like Horta and his sidekick, Xanana Gusmao, to partake in this exercise of moral grandstanding to increase their own visibility for ulterior motives. Horta condemns Myanmar, while flagrantly ignoring the terrorists that he calls his ‘friends’.This prevailing context and Myanmar’s longstanding diplomatic posture do not mean the country’s government is toothless. Myanmar will not stand meekly in the face of disrespect that has crossed far beyond any acceptable thresholds. Myanmar thus must not compromise in its stand of opposing Timor Leste’s entrance into ASEAN.Should Timor Leste be admitted, the country will only use its membership as a pulpit to take swipes at Myanmar and its interests, flagrantly disregarding the ASEAN charter’s non-interference provisions simply because its leadership have been bred and taught that they can act with impunity for being a Western neoliberal attack mouthpiece. Myanmar is under no obligation to entertain this delusion. In the same way, Horta demonstrates a disregard for facts to write his own saviour story. Myanmar should disregard its country’s desires in favour of focusing on its own interests. Let Horta and his cronies first clean up Timor Leste’s own house-still stained with and smelling of the blood of his opponents, before it dares lecture on Myanmar and cavort with terrorists.Source: GNLM(Explanation: This article is just the author’s opinion.)
Sustain fine traditions of international friendship
Sustain fine traditions of international friendship
In 2011, the UN General Assembly established the International Day of Friendship to recognize the power of friendship among peoples, nations, cultures, and individuals to inspire peace and build bridges between communities, thereby reducing hatred, conflicts, and wars.The UN’s resolution emphasizes involving young people, as future leaders, in community activities that celebrate cultural diversity and promote international understanding and respect. To mark this day, the UN encourages governments, international organizations, and civil society groups to host events and initiatives that advance global efforts towards fostering dialogue among civilizations, solidarity, mutual understanding, and reconciliation.This observance is rooted in UNESCO’s concept of the Culture of Peace – a set of values, attitudes, and behaviours that reject violence and aim to prevent conflicts by addressing their underlying causes to achieve peaceful solutions.Myanmar aims to cultivate sincere and friendly relations with countries across the globe. It values partnerships with nations that understand its unique context and show genuine goodwill, considering them true friends. Regardless of geographical distance, some countries continue to maintain strong ties with Myanmar, reflecting the depth and resilience of their friendship.Myanmar is a country that adopts and practizes the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, which serve as the foundation of its foreign policy. These principles were established in 1954 by the leaders of Myanmar, China, and India. They include respect for each nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-aggression, non-interference in internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence. Everyone and every country has to strive to ensure the perpetual existence of friendship among them to build peaceful communities.The Republic of the Union of Myanmar pursues an independent, active, and non-aligned foreign policy. It prioritizes global peace and promotes friendly and enduring relations among nations. Myanmar upholds the principles of peaceful coexistence between countries. This foreign policy is enshrined in Section 41 of the 2008 Constitution of Myanmar. In implementing this policy, Myanmar has established embassies, permanent missions, and consulates in foreign countries to strengthen cooperation with the international community and to ensure mutual recognition and adherence to established diplomatic practices.True friendship and harmony can only flourish in an environment of peace and stability. Only within a stable and peaceful society can people cultivate loving and harmonious relationships. Myanmar is actively striving for internal peace while also fostering lasting friendship and goodwill with the international community. Just as ethnic armed groups are being invited for dialogue in pursuit of internal peace, continuous efforts are also being made to ensure nationwide peace, stability, and sustainable development.Myanmar is a country that adopts and practizes the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, which serve as the foundation of its foreign policy. These principles were established in 1954 by the leaders of Myanmar, China, and India. They include respect for each nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-aggression, non-interference in internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence. Everyone and every country has to strive to ensure the perpetual existence of friendship among them to build peaceful communities.GNLM
Former Israeli leader says planned ‘humanitarian city’ in Gaza would be a ‘concentration camp’
Former Israeli leader says planned ‘humanitarian city’ in Gaza would be a ‘concentration camp’
JerusalemCNN A planned “humanitarian city” inside Gaza intended to hold hundreds of thousands of Palestinians would be a “concentration camp,” former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has warned.Defense Minister Israel Katz said last week he had told the military to advance plans for the zone, which would eventually contain the entire population of Gaza. The area would be built on the ruins of the city of Rafah in southern Gaza, and once Palestinians enter the zone, they would not be allowed to leave. Katz also vowed to implement a plan for the emigration of Palestinians from Gaza.“It is a concentration camp. I am sorry,” Olmert told The Guardian newspaper on Sunday. “If they (Palestinians) will be deported into the new ‘humanitarian city’, then you can say that this is part of an ethnic cleansing.”In response to Olmert’s comments, the Prime Minister’s Office called him a “convicted felon disgracing Israel on CNN.” In a statement, the office said: “We evacuate civilians. Hamas blocks them. He calls that a war crime?” Olmert was freed from prison in 2017 after serving 16 months on corruption charges.Olmert has previously blasted the conduct of the Israeli military in Gaza and the country’s political leadership. In May, he said he could no longer defend Israel against accusations of war crimes. “What is it if not a war crime?” he asked rhetorically in an interview with CNN. He said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and far-right members of his government are “committing actions which can’t be interpreted any other way.”More than 58,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the start of the war, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.The latest comments from Olmert, who served as Israel’s prime minister from 2006-2009, go much further in criticizing the country’s intentions in Gaza, however, especially since comparisons to Nazi concentration camps in Israel is considered virtually unthinkable. But Olmert said it was the “inevitable interpretation” of the plans.“When they build a camp where they (plan to) ‘clean’ more than half of Gaza, then the inevitable understanding of the strategy of this (is that) it is not to save (Palestinians). It is to deport them, to push them and to throw them away,” Olmert told the Guardian.Katz’s plans for what he dubbed the “humanitarian city” were discussed at a meeting with Netanyahu on Sunday evening, according to a source familiar with the matter. But after Israeli news outlets reported that it would take months to build the zone and billions of dollars, the source said Netanyahu asked to make its establishment shorter and less expensive.Yair Lapid, the head of Israel’s opposition, blasted the plans as an attempt by Netanyahu to let his far-right government partners “run wild with extreme fantasies just to preserve his coalition.” In a statement on social media, Lapid called to “end the war and bring back the hostages.”Michael Sfard, an Israeli human rights lawyer, told CNN last week that Katz’s plan amounts to the forcible transfer of a population in preparation for deportation. Both of these are war crimes, Sfard said.“If they are done on a massive scale – whole communities – they can amount to crimes against humanity,” Sfard added, dismissing the notion that any departure from Gaza could be considered voluntary.Ref : CNN
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