Taking lessons from history, all are to uphold Our Three Main
National Causes while essaying to shape modern, developed nation
Thandwe District hails Union Day, supports National Convention

YANGON, 29 Jan — A ceremony to hail the Union Day and support the National Convention took place in Kyeintali, Gwa township, Thandwe District, Rakhine State, this morning.

It was attended by the secretary of Rakhine State Union Solidarity and Development Association and executives, the secretary of Thandwe District USDA and executives, members of township USDAs in the district, departmental staff, members of social organizations and local people totalling over 2100.

Thandwe District USDA Secretary U Saw Myint Oo presided over the ceremony together with ex-headmaster of Kyeintali BEHS U Htein Lin, Chairman of Thandwe Township War Veterans Organization supervisory committee U Khin Maung Aye, Secretary of Thandwe District Organization for Women’s Affairs Daw Khin May Myint and Gwa township Maternal and Child Welfare Supervisory Committee Chairperson Daw Myint Myint Thein. Thandwe District USDA Executive Daw Moe Moe Thwin acted as MC and Thandwe township USDA Executive Daw Thabyae Nyunt as co-MC. First, the MC announced the start of the ceremony and those present saluted the State Flag. Next, the meeting chairman, Thandwe District USDA Secretary U Saw Myint Oo delivered a speech. He said 12 February 2005 is the 58th anniversary of the Union Day that had been designated so to forge national unity and national solidarity of the people. Today is an auspicious day because we are all here to hail this historic Union Day and to support the National Convention. Looking to the present situation, good or evil consequences of the nation mainly rest on the strong or weak national solidarity.

The British colonialists waged three aggressive wars on Myanmar. But all Myanmar national people put up a stiff armed resistance to them. Realizing the national unity of Myanmars, they drove a wedge among the national people to cause misunderstanding. Again, when the British granted Myanmar’s independence, they plotted to leave the hilly regions behind. However, with the national unity of all the people armed with Union spirit, Panglong agreement was signed on 12 February 1947. Consequently, Myanmar managed to declare itself as an independent sovereignty nation on 4 January 1948. The chairman said now it will turn 58 years on 12 February this year since the Union Day was born on 12 February, 1947.

And it is the duty of all national people of the Union of Myanmar to ensure non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity and perpetuation of sovereignty with Union Spirit.

The chairman added that taking lessons from history, all are needed to uphold Our Three Main National Causes while they are essaying to shape a modern, developed state. It is so important that the National Convention is to be held successfully for the emergence of an enduring State constitution to be able to build up a peaceful, modern and developed nation. The National Convention, which has adjourned since 1996, was reconvened on 17 May 2004 and will resume on 17 February 2005 at Nyaunghnapin Camp. That is why, the meeting chairman said, all the people are urged to play their respective roles in successful implementation of the seven-point Road Map.

In conclusion, he said, in marching towards a new peaceful, modern developed nation, all national people are to actively take part in their respective roles in accord with the objectives of the 58th anniversary of Union Day — for all the national races to safeguard the national policy — non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity and perpetuation of sovereignty; to keep the Union spirit ever alive and dynamic among the national people; for all the national people to defend and safeguard the Union Spirit for its perpetual existence; to prevent, through national solidarity, the danger of internal and external destructive elements undermining peace and stability of the State and national development; and for all national races to make concerted efforts for successful implementation of the seven-point future policy programme. Thandwe Township USDA Secretary U San Naing said that the Panglong Conference was held in Panglong in the early days of February 1947 and the Panglong Agreement was signed on 12 February. The conference indicated national solidarity and it is vividly clear that national unity plays the most crucial role in ensuring non-disintegration of the Union.

The nation regained independence on 4 January 1948 and it was an opportune time to carry out nation-building tasks through national unity, but followed by multicolour-ed insurgents due to localism, racism, egoism and ideologies caused by the evil legacies of the colonialists. When the Union was on the brink of collapse and national unity on the verge of disintegration, the Tatmadaw safeguarded the nation, standing by the people.

Now the government is making sustained efforts for the emergence of a modern developed nation. Upholding the saying that goes, “the strength of the nation lies within”, the government has given the top priority to the building of national unity. As a result, national armed groups have returned to the legal fold and they are now participating in the nation-building endeavours. The government is implementing the plans for progress of border areas and national races.

The entire people are to safeguard and protect the mother country with Union Spirit for restoration of independence and sovereignty.

In conclusion, he called on the entire people to adhere to Our Three Main National Causes and to see to the successful implementation of the Union Day objectives for the motherland to exist till as long as the world does.

Taungup Township USDA executive U Ko Ko Tin said that now is the time when the State’s seven-point Road Map is well under way for flourishing of democracy in the nation, and the successful completion of the National Convention is the most necessary for the nation.

The National Conven-sion resumed in May 2004 and was adjourned in the rainy season considering the agricultural tasks of the National Convension delegates. The government has announced that the National Convension will resume on 17 February.

The framing of the State Constitution is the most important factor for the emergence of a discipline-flourishing democratic nation, and this task is being implemented step by step by the government.

National solidarity is the most indispensable requirement for the nation as it is home to more than 100 national races. Only when stability is restored well in the nation, will steps for economic development be taken. Now, the three national development projects, the 24 special region development project, and the five rural development tasks are being implemented for the progress of the entire nation with strong economy. As a result, the whole nation has witnessed good foundations in the economic and social spheres.

There has been rays of hope for emergence of the State Constitution, and the seven-point Road Map will be accomplished through step-by-step implementation. The national people are to make combined efforts for successful implementation of the programme in the interests of the nation.

One thing the people have to be aware of is the danger of the destructive elements, who are trying to undermine the spirit of national unity and Union Spirit. So, the people are to brave and overcome the acts committed by these elements who cannot bear to see the progress of the nation.

In this regard, the USDA announced the Bagan declaration at the mass rally held in Bagan Archaeological Region in 2003.

In conclusion, he urged the members to support the National Convention being held for emergence of a discipline-flourishing democracy and perpetual existence of the Union which was built through national solidarity.

Gwa Township USDA executive U Soe Win said that rural people make up more than 70 per cent of the nation’s population, so only when the living standard of local people in these areas is high, will the nation enjoy development. Thus, the government is putting the five rural development tasks into motion. Now, the plans for human resources development are under way. The USDA is cooperating with the people in taking steps for promotion of the nation’s education standard.

To ensure better health care services in the rural areas, rural health care centres were constructed and renovated and health staff in harness with medical specialists made field trips down to villages and gave medical treatment there.

As part of ensuring supply of potable water to rural regions, wells, lakes and manual tube-wells were sunk in Taungup and Thandwe Townships.

For better transport, village-to-village roads such as Phayamaw-Hsubokkon road, Shwekyaungpyin-Panchinpauk road and Phayamaw Bridge were constructed in Thandwe Township, village-to-village roads in ten villages and bridges built in Taungup Township, and Kalabyin-Yegyaw road, Gwa-Kyauk-chon road and bridges constructed in Gwa Township.

In conclusion, he pledged that the USDA members in Thandwe, Taungup and Gwa Townships in cooperation with the people will make relentless efforts for regional development under the supervision of USDAs at different levels.

Next, Secretary of Rakhine State USDA U Oo Kyaw Yin presented K 500,000 donated by Rakhine State USDA to be used in regional development task in Thandwe Towship to Executive of Thandwe District USDA U Kyi Shwin and 100 desks worth K 800,000 and related documents to the Thandwe Township Education Officer.

Afterwards, member of Kyeintali Maternal and Child Welfare Association Daw Khin San Yi seconded the presentations of the three representatives. She said that the Union of Myanmar was under subjugation of the colonialists for over 100 years. During the period, a lot of lives and sweat were sacrificed to be free from subjugation.

As the entire national people had been able to show their unity at Panglong the independence was regained. Therefore, the mass rally to mark the Union Day which is complete with fine characteristics is worthy of great honour.

The National Convention which will resume on 17 February 2005 is the one to lay down the basic principles for drafting the State constitution in ensuring the emergence of a modern, developed and discipline-flourishing democratic nation.

The State constitution is of utmost importance in building a discipline-flourishing democratic nation. To be able to draw a complete State constitution, the seven-point Road Map has been laid down and is being implemented.

The National Convention, the very first step of the seven-point Road Map, will soon resume.

Therefore, the entire national people who are present on the occasion are to actively take part in successful realisation of the National Convention by doing their bit in accordance with the objectives of the convention. The mass rally held in Bagan’s cultural region in 2003 unanimously approved the declaration for successful realization of the seven policy programmes.

On behalf of the entire people, she said she emphatically supported the national convention to be held on 17 February. She was glad to see that the government in cooperation with USDA and other related social organizations built schools, wells, roads and other transport facilities for improvement of socio-economic life of rural people.

She supported rural development tasks in the district, progress of work and future tasks presented by U Soe Win. She said the USDA will serve the interest of the people and communities and urged the people to participate in the tasks for development.

Next, those present at the meeting unanimously agreed to the tasks of safeguarding Our Three Main National Causes. The Chairman of the meeting declared that the people supported the national convention and he comfirmed the approval of the meeting. The meeting ended with shouting of the slogans.