Aug 13, 2008 (DVB), The Karen National Union pledged to continue its struggle at a ceremony to mark the 58th annual Karen Martyrs’ Day, which was held yesterday on KNU brigade 7 territory.

The ceremony started with a military parade by 150 Karen National Liberation Army soldiers and brigade 7 provincial chairman Pada Ahto read out a martyrs’ day message from KNU chairman general Tamalabaw.

"People should continue with revolution by sticking to the four principles set out by Saw Ba U Gyi," the message said.

"We should join hands with the KNU’s allies who are also fighting for their nation and be very careful of the divide and conquer tactics employed by the enemy."

Pado David Takapaw, a KNU central committee member, also gave a speech at the event.

"The Karen Revolution is getting old, almost 60 years old , it’s actually going to be 60 years on 31 January," he said.

"We should continue with our revolution as guided by Saw Ba U Gyi, carrying on with his principles."

KNLA commander general Mutu Say Po then gave a speech which also affirmed Saw Ba U Gyi's revolutionary principles and paid tribute to the wives of the late KNU leaders.

KNU information officer major Saw Hla Ngwe said the KNU also honoured the leaders who had remained involved in the revolution even after their family members had left for third countries.

The ceremony was attended by Karen leaders, representatives from other ethnic groups and the leaders of the KNU’s allied groups, with about 800 people in the audience.

General Tamalabaw himself was unable to attend the celebration as he has been in poor health.

Karen Martyrs' Day commemorates the date Karen leader Saw Ba U Gyi was killed in 1950 during the KNU's withdrawal from Insein.

Reporting by Naw Noreen