Burma (Myanmar) Dictator Warns of Democracy at Parade

View Larger Map

Dictators always say this when free people threaten them...

NAYPYIDAW (AFP) — Myanmar junta chief Than Shwe urged political parties to shun foreign ideologies if they want democracy as the military put on a show of might at its annual parade Friday.

More than 13,000 troops marched on the parade ground of the military-ruled nation's remote administrative capital Naypyidaw for Armed Forces Day in the shadow of statues of old Burmese kings.

"Democracy in Myanmar today is at a fledgling stage and still requires patient care and attention," Senior General Than Shwe said in a 25-minute speech.