Union Solidarity and Development Association consisting of Union-loving citizens

I wrote an article titled “If we all love the Union” that appeared in the 19-9-1993 issues of Kyemon and Myanma Alin dailies. To compile this article, I would like to reproduce the facts featured in that article.

“I learnt from the TV news programme screened on 15 September 1993 that the Union Solidarity and Development Association was formed with the aim of safeguarding the State and serving the national interests. The Association was registered under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

“After hearing that news story, I could not hear other news items as I was wrapped up in deep thought. I thought a strong force for the Union of Myanmar is emerging in the near future. Now, political parties have existed legally. Discussions are held and suggestions made at the ongoing National Convention for laying down basic principles to be included in the drawing of the State Constitution essential for building a democratic nation.

“Priority is given to the emergence of discipline-flourishing multi-party democracy system in holding discussions on chapter headings and basic principles to be included in the framing of the State Constitution. Concerning political parties, the basic principle, that says necessary laws shall be formulated for systematic forming of political parties, has been laid down. Political parties should serve the interests of the State and the people as political parties. The USDA should serve the interests of the Union and the people with a sense of national duty.

“Political parties will have to carry out tasks in the interests of the Union of Myanmar and the people, while the Association will have to take part in the nation-building tasks with might and main. Our nation has a fine tradition that national forces such as various national races, peasants, workers, intellectuals, intelligentsia, youths and Tatmadaw members are united in anti-colonialist battles, independence struggles, anti-Fascist resistance, and reconstruction tasks. So, it can be deduced that the newly-established USDA is a strong national force that deserves a warm welcome.”

I do not remember the membership of the Association when it came into existence. I have learnt that now the membership of the Association touches over 21 million. I have read or heard news on ceremonies to submit USDA membership applications held in wards, villages and towns. USDA has set a record in Myanmar that its membership is more than that of any other social organizations that represent the public.

It can be said that its membership makes up about half of the nation’s population, about 54 million, because elderly persons and young children cannot join the Association. So, the Association is a reliable national force that represents the nation and the people.

The Association is engaged in bounden duties — public welfare services, nation-building task, task for ensuring equitable development of all parts of the nation, tasks for restoration of security, peace and stability of the nation, rural development task, task for perpetuation of independence as long as the world exists, national development task, implementation of the State’s seven-point Road Map for emergence of a discipline-flourishing democratic nation, and the task for crushing destructive elements, lackeys of alien nations, and traitors who are harming the Union, national people, sovereignty, peace and stability, and the development of the nation.

It is incumbent upon the entire national people who live in the Union in amity through thick and thin to see to such huge tasks. Members of the Association are of reliable forces that have been implementing these bounden duties. Central level, division level and township level USDAs are conducting a variety of courses on Myanmar and international affairs to sharpen the abilities of young and medium-age members. If members are knowledgeable about Myanmar and international affairs, they will have correct conceptions, will be able to make correct decisions and carry out correct activities. The better the members are nurtured, the more the flowers of the members will be in bloom. If the people are able to distinguish between destructive acts and constructive efforts, they will be able to avoid being caught in the trap of neo-colonialists who are manufacturing false news stories to colonize weak nations. If so, all will understand why they should love the mother country and national people. Then, they can be fully equipped with patriotic spirit, nationalistic spirit, and the spirit of cherishing motherland. This in turn can generate Union Spirit.

Originally, youth members are active, alert, and dynamic with fine qualities. They are extending a helpful hand in helping shape a brighter future of the nation.

I write this article in honour of the 12th anniversary of the Union Solidarity and Development Association. In conclusion, I would like to restate some paragraphs that were featured in my article compiled 12 years ago.

“—In view of current Myanmar’s affairs, we can witness that the Tatmadaw, the strong national force, and national people are carrying out work in concert for building a peaceful, modern and developed nation, while certain neo-colonialist nations with the practice of hegemonism are disrupting national interests with the aim of making the national people get in straits, and their axe-handles are posing a grave danger to the nation and the people. Now we should decide which force we should support — destructive elements that cannot bear to see peace, stability, national unity and development in the nation, or national force that loves the motherland and is making efforts to ensure national development in the interests of the Union and the people. And it is high time to crush all internal and external destructive elements that are creating invented stories and resorting to all possible wicked means to destroy the nation, and to be united and harmonious under the flag of the Union Solidarity and Development Association.

“—The flag and emblem of the Association signify peace, bravery, and unity. And the motto of the Association is “Morale, Discipline, Solidarity, Unity.

“—When my thought stopped, an idea struck to my mind that all the national people who want to see the nation prosperous should enthusiastically join the Union Solidarity and Development Association.”

Author : Tekkatho Myat Thu