We people of national races such as Shan, Kachin, Kayin, Chin, Mon and Bamar have been living in the Union in harmony for ages.

We do not favour the well-being of a single national race alone, nor do we accept any discrimination against or in favour of a particular national race. Our nation has been constituted into a Union where various national races under the name of Myanmar people have lived together since yore with three characteristics—national brethren, oneness, and magnanimity that we cultivate by nature.

Myanmar, a multicultural country, has preserved a fine history of gradually advancing civilization since its early history. The term “Asia” means a place where the sun rises first in the world. It is the largest continent in the world. The civilization of man originated in Asia, and so did many religious faiths related to the civilization.

Asia has a very long history with a variety of races, religions, languages and faiths. Myanmar is located in Indochina Peninsular. With an area of 678,033 square kilometres (261790 square miles), Myanmar is over two times larger than the British Isles.

In Myanmar, a population of over 56 million of over 100 national races have lived together sharing joys and sorrows. So, the history of Myanmar and that of national unity are the same. Whenever national races managed to build up consolidated unity among them, the nation was strong with high prestige. And whenever the nation lacked unity of national races, it came under alien intrusion for a long time. Once, it fell under the subjugation of the colonialists for over 100 years.

National races became disunited due to the wedge driven among them by the colonialists, to the accompaniment of armed insurgency. In consequence, all national races had to withstand various forms of plights and upheavals. Therefore, people have to take lessons from the historic incidents that the Union of Myanmar has been on the point of collapse several times, stemming from the seeds of suspicions sowed by the colonialists.

In retrospect, south Asia, southeast Asia and almost the entire east Asia were colonized by the colonialists and neo-colonialists from 17th century to 20th century. The region thus had to put up strong resistance against the colonialism and Fascism by waging major combats for national liberation. A salient point in that regard is that the majority of the old colonies lost national unity and had to cope with internal armed conflicts soon after they had regained independence.

Now, the global power balance has been lost, and as a result, hegemony is rearing its head again. Today, every country with disunity among the national people concerned has come under various attempts to break them up into parts.

According to the geopolitics and loss of global power balance, what is the most indispensable for today’s Myanmar and its people is to build consolidated unity among national brethren. Despite rich natural resources, Myanmar lags behind other countries in development due to instability and lack of peace triggered by internal and external destructive elements. The people are longing for stability of the State, economic growth and high social standard. So, the aspiration of the people is to ensure emergence of a peaceful, modern and developed nation.

Under the historic necessities of the nation, the Tatmadaw had to take up the State responsibilities in September 1988 to address the general deterioration of the nation in accordance with the wishes of the people. Since then, it has placed the nation on the path to the multiparty democracy system from the one-party Socialism. It has abrogated the centralized economy and introduced the market economy. Indeed, it is now carrying out formidable tasks of fulfilling the requirements and the duties of reforms in the long-term interests of the nation.

So, the Tatmadaw government is not just a caretaker government ensuring prevalence of law and order and restoring peace and stability. It is a government devoting itself to tasks for reforms to introduce a new system.

Now, Myanmar is on the path of smooth transition to democracy. In the past, Myanmar suffered difficulties and crises when it practiced democracy. Since the nation regained independence, the multiparty democracy had been practised. However, the democratic practice showed no success due to lack of economic development of the public. Not only that, the Union also stood on the edge of an abyss at that time.

Stability of the State and community peace, and economic development are the two main requirements for democracy to flourish. Practice of democracy without peace and stability can attract widespread anarchism. Different nations have different customs, national cultures and geopolitics, so their ways to exercise democracy are different from one another. In this regard, every nation wishing to practise democracy will have to choose own ways in the interests of the people concerned.

It is regrettable that certain western countries are extending their economic sanctions against Myanmar, while neglecting the nation’s practical democratic processes. Moreover, they have recently laid down some more economic sanctions against Myanmar to put pressure on the government.

Regarding the sanctions, the Chinese Assistant Foreign Affairs Minister last November said that China was not pleased with economic sanctions; that economic sanctions could not help solve the problems, but worsen them; that peace and stability was the major need for Myanmar to achieve success in democratic process and economic growth; that China did not want Myanmar to be a second Iraq; that it was not important whatever other countries said in that regard; and that it was China’s firm stand.

In an interview conducted on 31 December 2006, BBC told former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan that some Iraqis said that their life was even worse now than under the dictatorship. And BBC asked him if that was right.

Kofi Annan said that it was right for an ordinary Iraqi, adding that he would say “yes” if he were an Iraqi. There had been a harsh rule over the country, but at that time the people could get out of their homes and walk on the streets peacefully, children could attend their classes, and any parents did not need to worry if their children would get home from school, he said. Then, terrorist attacks were not under control in Iraq, and what was needed in the human society was to build security and to maintain secure environment in Iraq. Without security, reconstruction and building the nation was not possible, he said.

The people have to weigh the international and national affairs correctly. Destructive elements with negative views are now distorting the image of the nation. So, it is required of the people not to place reliance on their groundless accusations. Now, Myanmar is taking pragmatic approach to democratic transition processes so as to exercise Unitary System, multiparty democracy system, and market economy, as aspired by the people. The drafting of State constitution, the third step of the State’s seven-step Road Map, is nearing completion.

In 2008, Myanmar is going to see choices that will make important changes. And the nation is now on an important turning point for the people. So, the people will have to choose the correct way for speedy transition to democracy. Now is the time for the people to give priority to national interests, cherish own lineage, and safeguard the motherland more than ever. So, the entire people are urged to remain united for perpetual existence of the heritage of the Union.