Esteemed
national brethren of the Union,
Today is the ninth anniversary of the signing of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) between the Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and EAOs. Leaders of the EAOs who took part in the signing ceremony, local and foreign witnesses, and all the national races of the entire Union, I wish you all good health and happiness, and may all your good wishes be fulfilled.
Since the
signing of NCA, a firm determination was mutually made to jointly realize the
terms of this Agreement without fail to achieve perpetual peace based on
responsibility, accountability and transparency. I believe it still lives in
the memories of all signatories.
To what
extent could we realize the NCA with the aim of marching towards a new
democratic country that is witnessing peace, stability, and progress everywhere
amidst the many disturbances, and to what degree is the NCA on its track. It is
common knowledge.
Esteemed
national brethren,
NCA was
established through many meetings and dialogues between officials of the
stakeholder organizations. It is a historic Agreement of Myanmar. Talks were
held thoroughly through mutual understanding and an array of compromises till a
bilateral consensus was reached. Since the signing of the Agreement, I have
witnessed EAOs that respect the terms of the Agreement and stand by the
interests of the country and the people, as well as the ones that break the
terms of the Agreement at every opportune time for self-interest. The scope of
NCA extends from nationwide ceasefire to perpetual peace and interest of the
national races and democracy. The establishment of a Union based on democracy
and federalism is in the interest of the national races and democracy. It is
common knowledge that Tatmadaw, with a genuine goodwill for national progress,
made concessions by announcing unilateral ceasefire agreements many times three
years after the signing of the NCA. It adopted policies for peace, explained
them in detail, and rendered a helping hand. It also made overtures of
negotiations, which is a policy for peace.
As
differences in political views are the source of conflicts in the country,
invitations have been made to solve the political problems through political
means. So, I would like to urge all to join the political dialogue in the
interest of the country.
Esteemed
national brethren,
In our march
towards democracy, the entire people must genuinely enjoy the essence and
culture of democracy. However, during the times when the country was under a
democratic government, the essence of democracy and democratic culture were
still away from the people. We must bear in mind that democratic culture is the
realization of the wishes or solving of the conflicts of individuals or
organizations through peaceful means while avoiding any means of violence.
During the second democratic government, the country lost its revenues, and its
internal secrets fell victim to leakages due to overly putting trust in foreign
countries as in history.
Even
government authorities, who had the right to shoulder the State duties, wrongly
exercised democratic practices. It is common knowledge that the vote-rigging of
the then government in the 2020 election has left a black mark in history.
In all
seriousness, I say that Tatmadaw regards the duty of safeguarding the country
from all dangers befalling it for the long-term interest of the country and
people as a responsibility shaped by historical demands. When an unexpected
political change in Myanmar occurred in 2021, some EAOs, violating the terms of
NCA, supported terrorist groups, NUG and CRPH, through a stratagem. They also
provided aid and various support to PDF terrorist bands under those terrorist
groups. Hence, peace and stability became weak in the entire country, and the
people had to live in fear and a state of alarm.
The acts of
the combined terrorist group, MNDAA, TNLA and AA that began in October 2023
have worsened the economic situation of the people. Before the incident, KNPP,
KNDF, PNLO, KIA and KNU armed insurgents were committing destructive acts in
various places. The consequence was the hardships that a large number of
innocent people had to suffer. Multiple sources of support were found behind
those terrorist acts. In this regard, the government is protecting the national
interest through a correct view and proper arrangements.
Esteemed
national brethren,
Driving
forces such as politics, economy and defence must be better for the development
of a country. Despite having more muscular political strength, the government
should not be weak in the economic and defence industries. Leaders need to
systematically manage the strengthening of the political sector, whereas all
citizens have to strive for their respective industries. If so, individuals
will be wealthy, and then the state economy will be boosted. Only when the
country has stronger economic strength will the State have higher defence
capability. Since its establishment, Tatmadaw was purposed to defend external
enemies, not for internal security. Depending on the internal security
situations of the State, when the government assigns, Tatmadaw has to serve the
internal security duties.
Myanmar
Tatmadaw, on its part, has been serving defence and internal security duties
from the time of the AFPFL government in the post-independence era to date, in
accordance with the assignments. It has been proved that Tatmadaw, in
successive eras, has dutifully served the assigned duties for the defence,
peace and stability of the State. I would like to point out that it should not
be assumed that Tatmadaw alone is responsible for the defence duty of the
State, and it is necessary for all people to participate in national defence
through their strength. According to the geographical and political conditions
of the country, our country needs to prepare to serve the defence duties of the
State carefully.
Nowadays,
power struggles among powerful countries and their interference in political,
economic and military affairs of small countries, territorial disputes among
countries, terror attacks and internal instability can be seen across the
world. In solving these problems, some try to cause internal conflicts to the
regional conflicts. The majority of global countries form regional
organizations to have country-wise strength and cooperate with one another in
all sectors, including political and economic sectors. However, it is necessary
to note that all countries prioritize taking a firm stand for their interests.
I would like to urge all national brethren to notice which countries mastermind
internal conflicts of neighbouring countries and global countries with attempts
to recreate neocolonialism.
In order to
influence small countries, it can be seen that the world’s powerful countries
are making attempts to control the economic sector, which is playing a pivotal
role in the development of countries. They provoke internal conflicts and
crises so as to cause impacts on the economic sector of small countries with
manipulation as they like. At this juncture, small countries need to utilize
their own natural resources to overcome these challenges. Limited resources
will affect the economy as well as weaken other sectors. Our country possesses
good resources for the development of agriculture and livestock breeding
sectors. Our country has been recognized as a country that contributes to the
world’s food security. Moreover, our country produces oil, natural gas and
various minerals such as copper, iron and tin. So, we have to utilize these
natural resources and sound foundations of agriculture and livestock breeding
sectors in order to boost the economy and overcome the challenges that harm the
economy.
In the past,
the country suffered the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis
unavoidably. Due to global political frictions in the post-COVID period, the
world faced energy and fuel problems. Now, some countries are facing political
instability. As the political instability finally lead to an economic crisis,
powerful countries create such situations in advance to serve their interests.
As such, only when our country strives to possess reliable human resources
without reliance on foreign countries will the country stand tall with its own
natural resources proudly. In order to emerge as the future State, efforts were
made to accomplish the NCA treaty with the aim of resolving diversity measures
at the peace table through negotiations and coordination. So, we all are now on
the track of peace. The State Administration Council could manage to boost the
State economy from the downtrends and development of other sectors, including
education, health and agricultural production, amid the internal and external
attacks and disturbances.
Esteemed
national brethren,
Since the
assumption of the State responsibilities, the State Administration Council has
adopted the Roadmap. The government has clearly declared that the country will
lead to the NCA route to initiate the peace process, emphasizing agreements of
NCA as much as possible. Amid many difficulties since its assumption, the
government has adopted prioritized tasks and implemented them. At present, the
nationwide population and household census is being enumerated. Arrangements
are being made to hold the multiparty democratic general election successfully
as the final point of the Five-Point Roadmap we have guaranteed. Emphasis is
being placed on the participation of all political parties in the election, and
efforts are being made to maintain security conditions to be able to hold the
election in relevant regions. Considering the possible conditions in the
election period, the government will leverage the security measures, and
relevant EAOs will have to cooperate with the government in these measures. The
State Administration Council will go forward in harmony with relevant sectors
included in the Five-Point Roadmap. Only when the country forges peace and
stability will the government initiate the strengthening of the multiparty
democratic system and correct reform processes as quickly as possible.
The State
Administration Council is placing particular emphasis on achieving two
political goals and two national goals. Development can only take place when
the country is stable and peaceful. Achieving domestic stability and peace
should not be Tatmadaw’s sole responsibility.
Only when
all ethnic armed organizations fully understand the essence of the NCA and
cooperate with a strong sense of responsibility towards the State and their
commitments to the nation will we be able to reach the shared goals we aspire
to.
Undesirable
armed conflicts have caused unrest and violence throughout the country. The
deaths of innocent people, children and monks are the considerable loss the
country. It is only our own citizens who are unfaithful to the country and weak
in consciousness that are destroying the country by the incitement and support
from abroad. In order to strengthen the defence forces of the country and to
reduce the violence that is dominated by the instigation from abroad, we have
put into force the People’s Military Service Law that has been enacted since
2010 and has been able to strengthen the national security sector. In addition,
a public security system involving all citizens is also being organized. By
being able to do these things, all the people will be aware that they are
individually responsible for national defence and security.
Armed
attacks of terrorist insurgents throughout the ages are only doing armed
terrorist acts under the pretext of politics. It can be seen that they are
putting forward their desire to stand separately rather than walking on the
path of multiparty democracy and building a great Union together. Young people
were lured with narcotic drugs and forced to join the war. We all know not only
the lives of innocent people but also road and bridge structures, hospitals and
schools, and religious buildings were destroyed. Because of such anarchic acts,
the public hates terrorists and actively cooperates with Tatmadaw in
counter-terrorist operations. In the future, Tatmadaw will continue to do what
is necessary to suppress terrorist insurgents. I also want to inform the public
to be careful of being tricked by terrorists.
Esteemed
national brethren,
For our
Union to achieve eternal peace, meetings and discussions with political parties
and ethnic armed groups are underway. The opinions obtained from such meetings
were recorded as the Union Accord. Only when the armed conflict ends through
the NCA will we be able to reach our desired goal. We all need to move forward
with the spirit of Myanmar together. Otherwise, if we continue to believe in
the instigation of foreign countries that are encouraging and supporting armed
terrorist acts and plotting the bloodshed of our own citizens, then the future
journey we want to take as a nation will be a long way off.
Today, the
current situation in our country is due to the influence and control of
geopolitically powerful countries, which is creating internal instability. They
are causing dissension in various ways so that there is no unity among the
different ethnic groups in our country. We see that they are creating political
and economic instability to reduce our country’s defence power. What I want to
say is that all the ethnic groups living in Myanmar are brothers and sisters
who have lived in the same land and drunk the same water for many years. They
are the ones who have weathered difficulties and crises they have faced at
different times in history. Today, instead of destroying the area where we live
for the benefit of the powerful countries, we all need to think long-term and
cooperate for the benefit of the nation. If we are divided and quarrel with
each other, the power of the State will decrease, and we may go down in history
as a people who follow and obey the will of others. Therefore, today, I would like
to urge the ethnic armed groups to join together in the process of national
stability and peace being carried out by Tatmadaw and to negotiate their wishes
through dialogues.
Esteemed
national brethren,
In
conclusion, we can’t ask for our wants through armed violence. We can only come
to a political dialogue and solve the conflicts peacefully. I would like to say
that we will not compromise on the demands of armed terrorists. According to
the motto of our government, “Moving forward to the goal”, we must all respect
and cooperate with the NCA as we move forward with the spirit of “Myanmar”. In
cooperation, we need to follow through on the transparency, responsibilities
and commitments that have already been made with a genuine desire for durable
peace. I would like to encourage the EAOs and the entire ethnic population to
have a security awareness and security perspective and to show the spirit of
good citizens by participating in the aspects of the pre-election process that
will take place after the census. In conclusion, I would like to urge all to
work together with the government to put an end to the terrorists who are
disrupting the peace and stability of the country.
#TheGlobalNewLightOfMyanmar
===============
Public
participation key to strengthening rule of law and security
Vice-Chairman
of the State Administration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General
Soe Win met officials of the Sagaing Region government at the regional
government office on 14 October to talk about peace and stability of the region
and security measures.
Chief
Minister of Sagaing Region U Myat Kyaw and officials reported on the
disbursement of loans from the State Economic Promotion Fund to agriculture,
livestock and MSME industries in the region, formation of people’s security and
counter-terrorism troops for ensuring peace and stability and security of the
region, participation of departmental personnel in the population and household
census enumeration, and cooperative efforts of officials in peace and stability
of the region.
Speaking on
the occasion, the Vice-Senior General explained the importance of security
awareness and knowledge for people’s service personnel not to break security
measures, formation of people’s security and counter-terrorism troops in wards
and villages, efforts for public participation in the aforesaid measures,
surveillance to prevent infiltration of terrorists into the wards and villages,
public participation to ensure strengthening of security measures, and correct
supervision of officials to forge rule of law and security of the people.
He noted
that management should reserve quality strains of seeds to be used in
disaster-affected areas for regrowing crops in time, enumerate the census for
contribution to political, economic, education, health and socioeconomic
development and fulfil the needs of relevant governments and those who will
draw the plans, collection of data for the census in relevant plots to be able
to benefit the people, and sharing knowledge with the people to correctly reply
to the questions in the enumeration of the census.
In the
morning, the Vice-Senior General, accompanied by the Chief Minister of Sagaing
Region, Commander of North-West Command Maj-Gen Than Htaik and officials,
comforted the Tatmadaw members who are receiving medical treatment at the local
Tatmadaw hospital in Monywa for their injuries suffered in serving the defence
and security duties of the State.
In the
meeting with Tatmadaw members, members of the Myanmar Police Force, and local
people’s militia who were receiving medical treatments, the Vice-Senior General
asked them about injuries, medical treatment, recovery from the injuries, and
progress of health conditions. He fulfilled the needs of those patients and
presented supplies and cash awards.
The
Vice-Senior General also gave cash awards to medical staff serving at the
hospital.
The
Vice-Senior General also met Tatmadaw members, their wives, and their families
at Wuntho Station separately. He fulfilled the needs of Tatmadaw members and
families and presented foodstuffs, supplies and cash awards.
MNA/TTA
#TheGlobalNewLightOfMyanmar
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