Burma's top military leader has told the nation it must guard against what he called "neo-colonialist" influences, after a week of fresh criticism for the detention of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Senior General Than Shwe published a message in state-run papers Monday to commemorate Burma's national day. In it, he said outsiders are adopting new means to influence Burma through media, culture, and economics.
The warning follows new international calls for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi. Her National League for Democracy said last week that Burma's rulers plan to extend her detention until at least November 27th of next year. The Nobel laureate has been under house arrest in Rangoon for most of the past 15 years.
Information for this report is provided by AFP.