Part VIII — Not a Time for Breakups, but for Union

My dear Nan Sai,

This is not the time to move backward, but forward.

Not the time for breakups, but for cooperation, partnership, and even mergers. Around the world, large companies are joining together, and nations too are learning that survival increasingly depends upon cooperation rather than isolation.

This is the age of globalization.

The world itself is shrinking into a global village.

If you are interested, perhaps one day I will write to you again about the ASEAN Charter. I believe our own ASEAN family could eventually grow into something even stronger — perhaps an ASEAN+++ community inspired by the European Union, the United States, and other successful federations. If we work wisely and quickly, perhaps we could even progress faster than them in some areas.

You should also remember the wise words spoken by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

“Ignorance and prejudice are the handmaidens of propaganda… Our mission therefore is to confront ignorance with knowledge, bigotry with tolerance, and isolation with the outstretched hand of generosity. Racism can, will, and must be defeated.”

He also reminded the world:

“There is no country exempt from discrimination… there is still a long road ahead.”

For decades, countless people have suffered because of discrimination based on race, religion, ethnicity, language, colour, or origin. Such prejudice has caused humiliation, suffering, conflict, and even death.

True racial discrimination occurs when people are judged not by their character or merit, but by their race, colour, religion, or ethnic background.

That is why I agree deeply with the wise words of your father:

“We must establish a genuine Federal Union in which all nationalities enjoy equal rights, human rights, peace, and democracy. After achieving democracy, we must continue striving together so our country can progress and catch up with ASEAN and the modern world.”

I believe he was right.

If we can build a loose but genuine federation — not separating ourselves completely from one another, but living together under fair laws that respect democracy, human rights, and equality — then many of our present conflicts may gradually disappear.

Under such a system, it should not matter greatly who becomes the head of the family, village elder, prime minister, president, or king.

All citizens should be equal under the law.

All should have the freedom to live, work, travel, and prosper wherever they choose.

And please remind your father of one more thing:

During my adopted father’s time, your grandfather himself was once entrusted as the village head. And one of his ethnic minority brothers, U Man Win Maung, also served as our respected leader.

So our shared history already proves that living together with dignity and equality is not impossible.