Be pragmatic instead of talking big

You can wave your stick, but don’t hit my head,Non-interference,Anti-terrorism,Human rights, democracy.

Above-mentioned words are worthy of being practised pragmatically by everyone at all time in the interests of the entire world people. So, these words are now very popular among the political leaders in the global nations. Surely, everyone who has heard or seen these words are ready to support. These worlds are featured widely on posters around the world. Without bias, one should objectively view what consequences lie behind these words on the posters.

I learnt from my teacher when I was a student that the saying “You can wave your stick, but don’t hit my head” originated from the US that has enjoyed the fruit of independence earlier than any other nation. An Englishman was waving his stick while walking freely in an independent nation, and he accidentally hit with his stick an American freely walking behind him. So, the American said these words to the Englishman. It is a noteworthy remark.

There are two ways of harming someone, physically and verbally. It is required to assess the action taken in self-interest by the US government in independent nations considering the above-mentioned words. If we review the latest developments in the world, we will find that it has invaded weaker nations and is levelling accusations and imposing sanctions against some small nations, and acts at will, thus harming the interests of those nations. A few words spoken by one may represent oneself but it is necessary to weigh whether these words adversely affect any nation. However, the US in disregard of this point is acting and speaking at will, thereby losing self-respect.

The words “non-interference” are a principle prescribed for UN member nations not to provoke or interfere in the affairs of other nations. Here, aggression or interference means physical action taken against or verbal interference in internal affairs of other nations.

Any form of interference in other country’s internal affairs means violating this principle. In other words, it shows total disregard for the interests of other nations, or it provokes and bullies weaker nations with the use of its superior power. The word anti-terrorism means the use of force to ward off terrorism. It seems to be in favour of the policy of neo-colonialists — a strong nation dominates a weaker nation by invading it. Behind the word “anti-terrorism” are convincing evidences of all forms of sufferings and adversities the peoples of Afghanistan and Iraq are experiencing. Without knowing the hide-outs of the terrorists at all, the invaders are using force to launch attacks in these nations at will, killing a great number of innocent people. So, the word anti-terrorism serves as an armour for bloodthirsty murderer and militarist.

Human rights and democracy are two beautiful words the militarist bloc is widely applying to mislead the world people about its invasion and interference in the internal affairs of other nations under the pretext of anti-terrorism. It is a natural birth right that an individual, a race or a nation opposes manipulation, domination, and colonization of other individual, race or nation but wants to live independently.

It is crystal clear that the loss of all human rights of innocent people in Iraq and Afghanistan depicts the instigation and intervention of neo-colonialist intruders who are committing acts at will for their domination under the beautiful word of anti-terrorism.

Today, Myanmar is an independent and sovereign nation. The Tatmadaw is constituted with various national races. It is the Tatmadaw that was capable of helping the motherland regain her independence and that has been making unremitting efforts to protect and safeguard the nation for ensuring perpetuation of sovereignty. It has been crushing the enemies and taking organizational measures in the interests of the State. Without doubt, the Tatmadaw has taken all possible measures based on self-reliance to prevent the nation from being pushed into abyss, and to enable the nation to catch up with other global nations and to enjoy all-round development.

The acts of certain elements who fled the country and formed a democratic government in exile, sought imposition of economic sanctions on the country, approached alien spokesmen and begged military assistance from foreign nations on the pretexts of human rights and democracy are, in fact, machinations to impair national independence and sovereignty.

My advice is that there is still time enough for certain politicians leaders who have secured leadership positions to ask themselves and make amends who they are, in what positions they are, why was that, what they are doing, whether it is right or wrong, what they should do, in whose interest and what the results will be.

Patriotic politicians who truly love the country never leave their country. They will never seek selfish gains at the expense of the people. Just see Afghanistan and Iraq. What happened to the people there? Why are there suicide bombings? Is it because they want to die or to set themselves free from servitude? Just ponder over it. What could be the consequences of the report of Havel and Tutu to the UN Security Council? Who will suffer and what lies ahead? Just try to envisage the future.

The report has been created by the men from distant land based on their personal feelings and attachments. Ignorant of the objective conditions in Myanmar, the report has been compiled based on fantasy. Hence, it will be far from the truth although it may have a large number of pages. Because of the report the innocent citizens may suffer untold misery.

The so-called democracy activists and the so-called refugees, who have been abroad for various reasons, are approaching foreign countries and asking them to impose sanctions on the country and terrorising the people, enabling the foreign elements to interfere in the internal affairs with intent to reduce the sovereign nation into a colony thereby doing a disservice to the people of Myanmar.

Everyone knows that Myanmar today is under the administration of the Tatmadaw and no elaboration is needed. Every person with reason and proper outlook is aware of the fact that the Tatmadaw Government, in its early stages of assuming the State duties, concentrated on ensuring the rule of law and then on restoring peace and stability and bringing about all-round development throughout. In undertaking the four main tasks, the government has implemented the programmes after laying down the 12 objectives. At present, the government has been carrying out the political programme for a democratic transition in accordance with the seven-step Road Map. It is doing so on self-reliance.

The ongoing National Convention may be seen as the key to Myanmar's democratic transition. In fact, it is time those inside and outside the country desirous of seeing a quick realization of the democratic goal, those from outside the country and politicians who have been keeping a watchful eye on the developments in Myanmar, National Convention delegates in attendance representing the political parties, national races, representatives form all walks of life and others made concerted efforts by doing their bit for the successful conclusion of the National Convention and promulgation of the Constitution that will chart the road to democracy.

Those, who are trying to disrupt the National Convention one way or another, are in fact not desirous of democracy although they are shouting for establishment of democracy in the country. What the country truly needs now is to be pragmatic, but not to talk big.

No country in the world today is independent of the armed forces (Army). Whatever political system a country practises, the armed forces or the army plays an essential role for the smooth running of the system and guarding against the internal and external dangers.

Even in the time of natural disasters, the Tatmadaw is vital for the tasks like disaster preparedness and relief.

In fact, the Tatmadaw is carrying out multifarious duties of the State in all seriousness. Whoever hurls whatever words of abuse at the Tatmadaw, it is the legal government of Myanmar at present.

It is time for self-criticism. Those who are levelling critism against the Government should ask themselves what kind of a role they have played for the wellbeing of the country to what extent and if the work done by them is truly practical and suitable?

I would like to ask those outside the nation to review if their deeds, as well as their words, are truly applicable and practicable, not to incite internal strife using words with ulterior motives, and others relying on the external elements not to harm the survival of the people due to their attempts to serve their selfish ends.

I would like to urge them to revitalize their love for the country and extend a helping hand to the successful conclusion of the National Convention that will pave the way for the emergence of a democratic Myanmar in the near future.

Author : U Pyinnya